Muhammad Ali's peak

His most impressive win was against Foreman so I will take that. Thumping a glorified heavybag like a depleted Cleveland WIlliams proved little.

 

Yep. Lightning footwork, reflexes, speed, and appeared to have pretty solid power behind his punches.

 

In terms of physical capabilities though i think it was clear Ali had lost a step

 

I would have to say 1967. And I agree with those who think we never actually saw Ali's best possible.

 

1966-67

 

If boxing were 100% physical I would consider that as the only factor.

 

He wouldn't have gotten any better. He relied on speed, reflexes and stamina, and as he pilled on the pounds, those will have diminished.

 

Williams was shot though.

 

Pure speculation on your part.

 

1966-67. This was the best Ali ever was prior to his enforced exile.

1972-74 was his best seventies phase,especially in the Quarry II,Norton II,Frazier II and Foreman bouts.

 

Watched him growing up...his peak?...that's easy...1963 to 1967...

 

We know fighters can overachieve.

A strange proposition might be a fighter over achieving before his substantive prime (viz: Nelson vs Sanchez?). Or, even when in the midst of one’s prime, it mightn’t be as apparent against better quality or stylistically difficult opposition.

Take Cooper vs 63 and 66 Ali. Of course no KD in the rematch but was the dynamic so different except Ali was clearly more wary of Henry’s left hook?

Anyway, I’m taking the scenic route to say I really like Ali’s whole performance in Miami 64. He boxed so beautifully - as close to being conventional as Ali ever was.

And Muhammad had some major adrenaline working for him - the Big Bear was justifiably scary - as Ali admitted.

And the Lewiston rematch? - though brief, Ali looked unreal, super fast and super mobile during the time it lasted.

We really missed out given the all too brief window for that fight.

That ripped, 206 lb version of Ali warranted a good 15 round viewing - even if it required 3 or so opponents to see out that duration.

Way better than George’s Toronto 5.

 

Pure speculation on your opinion. Take a long hard look at round 7 of that bout, he caught Terrell with a hard right hand, Ernie was staggered, Ali sure laid it on him. But we will never know, 1967 was a long time ago. I know by your posts that you completely detest Muhammad Ali, but I do have a right on this site to express my views, just as you have a right to express yours. I do remember seeing the replay of that fight on ABC's Wide World Of Sports with Ali and Howard Cosell commenting on the fight, originally it was shown on Closed Circuit Television.

 

In my opinion, Muhammad Ali was vulnerable in his comeback and afterwards. During his title reign from 1964-1967, Ali had all of his physical gifts, there was no controversy relating to decisions against people like George Chuvalo and Ernie Terrell, both went the distance against peak Ali. On his return from exile, Ali lacked stamina, his reflexes were near non existent, he retained speed but his legs were failing him. He consistently got tagged by a flat footed Joe Frazier in The Fight Of The Century on March 8 1971, even got floored in round 15. As champion in his first title reign, Ali never tasted the canvas. Norton even broke Ali's jaw on March 31 1973, also as champion in his first title reign, Ali was always unmarked. The Rope A Dope to beat George Foreman in Oct 1974 was used because Ali's legs were failing him, it also caused Ali some Neurological damage later on, getting pounded can usually cause damage.