Could Mohammad Ali (in his prime) compete with the boxers of today?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mark ant, Sep 18, 2018.

  1. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Muhammad Ali was nearly 6′ 4″ tall and fought at about 215 pounds. He had fast hands, quick feet, and enough stamina to go 15 rounds with the nonstop, hard-punching Joe Frazier. There is no current or recent fighter whom he could not beat. Do you agree with this reply on Quora?
     
  2. Okin129

    Okin129 ... Full Member

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    Prime Muhammad Ali could beat them all.

    When you take someone like a prime Sonny Liston as the measuring stick for a great heavyweight fighter which i always do for multiple reasons then there is no great heavyweight today.

    Joshua and Wilder are both very talented but they both have a long way to go to be considered great.

    Imo Wilder is a better heavyweight than Joshua but both need to improve.

    Ali was not a small man and he was not an oldschool fighter, he was a modern fighter and he proved that he can handle any style.

    I can't favor Joshua and Wilder against him only because they're bigger, Wilder actually is only taller and has a longer reach, he weighs the same as prime Ali, the difference in physical dimensions is not as big as you might think.
     
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  3. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    I suppose he could. The only thing that would be to his disadvantage is his punching power.

    Ali with modern training would likely be bigger, but who knows how that would affect his speed and other attributes.
     
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  4. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He'd make a fool out of Wilder.
    Joshua would be tougher assignment, but I just can't see the big robotic heavyweights of today giving him that much trouble.
     
  5. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    They couldn't compete with him.
     
  6. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member

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    I think he'd do just fine. Right now HW is a wasteland. Theres about 4-5 top guys worth mentioning and then it drops off a cliff. I can see him beating all the top guys - not saying he WOULD necessarily beat them all - but I think I'd favour him over them. Joshua's about the toughest assignment I think and that's because he's technically sound and huge. But I want to see more before I go picking him over prime Ali
     
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  7. Flash24

    Flash24 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He could pick the round with most of them.
     
  8. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

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    They would all be in his personal Bum of the Month Club. One at a time, or all at the same time.

    And Ali is not my favorite person, not by a long shot. But you can't deny his boxing abilities.

    Although I haven't seen him shadow boxing.....
     
  9. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ali himself said he was 6'2 and Angelo Dundee said the same if Ali was a bit over that in height I do not know.

    As far as weight Ali weighed under 200 for all his fights until Archie Moore, he weighed 204, for Doug Jones 202, 207 for Cooper and 206 and 210 for Sonny Liston. 201 for cooper rematch 210 for Patterson and 214 for Chuvalo, 204 for Mildenburger and 212 for Earnie Terrell & Big Cat.

    211 for his last fight before break vs Foley but came back at 213 for Quarry 212 for Bonavena and 215 for Frazier. He blew up a bit for some fights after 220-226 but came down to 212 for Norton 2nd fight after weighing 221 for fight 1. went down to 212 for Frazier rematch212 for Norton rematch & Norton weighed 205. Ali was 216 for Foreman

    I personally like Ali from 210 -216 but at 6'2 maybe another half inch he was perfectly conditioned much like Joe Louis

    I think Ali would do well today and beat most of the guys around pretty easily
     
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  10. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Yes. I believe Ali does well in any era tbh .He had the speed to box rings round a lot of the super sized heavy s of modern times. He had the guts to fight through the tough battle s and the Chin to withstand the big guys punches.Of the modern day heavy s I always say Lewis would have being his toughest opposition ,Lenny at his Best proves a hard fight for anybody .
     
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  11. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

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    who wouldnt?
     
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  12. HerolGee

    HerolGee Loyal Member banned Full Member

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    Price would khtfo in 1

    bigger faster stronger , better skills, more evolved.

    better nutrition bars.


    Its obvious.
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2018
  13. Jel

    Jel Obsessive list maker Full Member

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    He'd beat them all. Joshua is the only guy who might present him with some problems but Ali would still win.
     
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  14. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    For some reason, I think Joe Louis has a better chance of beating AJ in some ways, but I also think he'd have a higher likelihood of losing via stoppage to AJ than Ali would.
     
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  15. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    A good question would be, how many of these guys would be around for a decision in a 15 rounder? Not many I'd say