Early 70s Muhammad Ali vs these 80s fighters

Oh my my my

 

He probably beats Cooney and Smith.


Then after he might go take a **** then beat Witherspoon, Thomas and Douglas.

 

He beats all with Thomas and Witherspoon being the stiffest tests

 

Ali has a field day with them

 

Beats all 5 of them. I think Tim gives him some problems early on.

 

They should match the two fan favorites, Gerry Cooney vs David Tua.

 

Agreed. At their best Spoon and Thomas have a pretty good chance of upsetting Ali, though I still favor him, maybe 2-1 in both instances. Not much certainly. Spoon's pressure fighting style as well as good boxing ability would trouble Ali and Ali might get outjabbed 4 once. That would be something 2 see.

 

Ali should win. I think a motivated Douglas and Thomas give him the toughest fight but Ali's superior mental strength pulls it through.

I love Witherspoon, and yes he is a heavier hitting Norton. But Norton had a better work rate than Tim. Are we talking about a 15 rounder here? If so, i don't see Witherspoon sustaining a high enough work rate to win. Over 12 rounds, i still favour Ali but it will be close due to Tim's jab, awkward defense and underrated power.

We need to specify whether its 12 rounds or 15. Its hard to see any post 70's fighter beating Ali ov3r 15 rounds because they wouldn't be able to pace themselves for 15 rounds.

 

good point; I never thought of Norton being superior to Spoon, but in this way he is

 

I was rewatching Witherspoon-Holmes. Tim puts up a great fight but for considerable moments during the fight, he isn't active at all. When he is active, he dominates. But when he isn't active, Holmes piles up the points.

Hard to see that strategy working vs Ali even though Witherspoon will put up a really good fight.

 

Ya, Norton was either blazing with both hands to the body or he was jabbing. Either one is good.

 

Douglas gives him his hardest fight.

But Ali wins them all.

 

Ali was much quicker than all of them. They all get peppered. I dont see any of them taking Ali's jab away the way Norton did. Kenny had a unique style his defense was good vs a jab.