Didn't think much at all of Jack Dempsey's quality of opposition, it seems. https://streamable.com/zb0i8 h/t to @willcross For the full interview, check out his thread: https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/ali-makes-funny-modernist-arguement.625846/
Interesting video. I wonder how much footage Ali had seen of these older fighters to make these judgements. I mean they weren't easily available. Plus Ali would never say Ali loses Ali also held Marciano in very high esteem (unlike some of the posters here...)
I think the era from 1915 to 1935 or so was an unusually weak era due to the color line. There had been one earlier, but not as rigid, Not only were the good black heavyweights frozen out of the title picture, but new talent never got the backing and training to develop.
"Joe Frazier?...Joe Frazier? If Joe Frazier whupps me....I will crawl across the ring...look up at him, and say: YOU are the Greatest" Ali, pre-FOTC (gotta take Ali for being the showman he really was).
I have a hard time taking pre 1930s fighters as contenders today. Some def had the natural power but the styles were just off. I think with a little tweaking people like Johnson and Dempsey would do fine today but not with their styles as they were. Just my opinion. Always love that video though as they break down these fights we discuss often here. Cus must have that Rockista Marciano virus some talk about in here lol
Not a big deal, since younger people tend to always criticize those that came before them. Guys today criticize Ali’s generation and say they were overrated, but it doesn’t make it true.
Here he is on the same topic 5 years later: https://streamable.com/zhe66 - Says that both Dempsey and Tunney are good scientific fighters. - Notes that cameras weren't as good in those days. - Reminds us that the fighters in those days weren't as good as him!
as time went on and video was invented ali and the rest of us got to see many more pre fifties fight films beside s the legendary champions.....ali seemmed more knowledgeable about these guys as time went on