Muhammad Ali's peak

I would say it is possible that Ali had plateaued by 67 - but then again, he might well have still improved. Impossible to say.

I say possibly plateaued with one specific feature in mind - mobility/legs. A very significant feature to prime Ali’s game - but one that required absolute peak physical condition and uncommon stamina.

So, while Ali could retain for the most part all other attributes for several years forward, the legs and required stamina would’ve begun deteriorating before anything else anyway, imo.

Not a rhetorical question: IF Ali was on course to become even better during what turned out to be his exile period, exactly how would he have improved?

Not a lot to want for by 1967 and Ali was well settled physically and stylistically.

I personally would’ve loved to have see Ali target the body more - but that was never going to happen.

Not to complain about the packaged fighter that Ali was - he was fantastic, I’m just greedy and believe he could’ve worked the body more without compromise to his existing attributes.

 

The way I see it it is that Muhammad's rope a dope against Foreman was n't that damaging. Although he took some headshots,they were n't that many. It was after that fight that the rope a dope became a problem - it was then he started getting hit on the head more often than he should have done. e.g. Norton III & Shavers.

Hope you're well,Richard.

 

Thanks Stevie G. I hope you are well also, I am doing fine.

 

I was going to say this. I could see him improving up until 1968/9…but unfortunately we’ll never know for sure.

 

It is possible.

 

Could he have got even quicker in both hand and foot? He was only 25ish(?)when he was forced to quit…was their more physical improvement left in his armoury? Maybe…but I can see that 25 could be seen as the plateau for a lot of people…but by no means all… as far as as speed and reflexes go.

 

Very good speculative post, Vic The Gambler.

 

Yeah, impossible to say either way Vic.

Though it’s hard to imagine Ali being faster, more reflexively capable and more mobile.

If that became the case from 67 on, we would’ve been be heading into Marvel (or DC if you prefer) comic book hero territory.

There was the Ali song Black Superman I guess. But Ali feared flying. The irony.

Fearless Floyd Patterson flew planes. A legit pilot.

Floyd should’ve flaunted that and said to Ali - “Who’s the Rabbit now?” . Hehahe.

 

All good thanks Richard.

 

Haha! I like the image of Floyd taunting Ali, not that I like Floyd or dislike Ali…the opposite is true of Ali…I admire his boxing ability and strength of both chin and resolve.
But I just feel sorry for Floyd sometimes …he gets a bad rep for some of his KO defeats.

 

Thanks Richard. I hope you’re doing well buddy.

 

To add on to what other posters have said, I also think Ali hadn't even faced a challenge yet. Even positing Ali's peak in 1967 leaves us with the fact that he never faced opposition that even encroached on his ability. Which to make my point, the peak Ali we saw was not even a blood lusted or truly serious game Ali. I don't know if there is anyone that you can pair against a 67' Ali that he wouldn't miraculously defeat. I firmly believe Frazier, Norton couldn't defeat a 67' Ali, they just weren't on his level.

 

Dundee claimed Ali was still filling out in muscle mass in '67, so perhaps a bit more strength and power to that speed.

 

I would add Bugner to his best 70's performances. He was in good shape and looked sharp. A one-sided beating for the most part.

 

Good point,Bokaj. Muhammad looked good in both Bugner bouts,I think. Especially the first one.