I got into an argument at work over who would win between pre suspension Ali (who I said would win) vs a post suspension Ali. Who would you think win?
I'd take '66 Ali over any post-exile version. That version had the speed, reflexes and stamina to outbox any version that followed, and while Ali had some great accomplishments and attributes in his best wins following his return, I'd unhesitatingly take the best pre-suspension version over anything that followed.
after vietnam Clay didnt have the same physical ability, but he made up for it with ring intelligence and experience. he also was the beneficiary of quite a few gift decisions. I'll go with pre-Vietnam clay in this one. that war took something away from everyone
Pre-suspension. Better stamina, faster feet, and just as tough. IMO Ali's hand's were just as fast even up until the Foreman fight. But his feet were slower. He also fought more flat footed to conserve energy. His greatest wins were mostly post exile. So i can see why someone ranks post exile Ali higher. But the 1966-67 version was better.
At first glance I’d take the Ali of the 60s to win. But then again the 70s Ali knew everything about 60s Ali. The same can’t be said in reverse given that the 70s version had a few new tricks up his sleeve.
Very true as far as intelligence goes, but when he returned in Oct 1970, he was more vulnerable, he did lack the stamina, footwork, speed, and timing, he resorted to things like Rope A Dope, which helped result in his neurological issues in his later years. As champion from 1964-1967, he never hit the canvas like he did prior to winning the title. But he was convicted for Draft Evasion on June 20 1967, his boxing license suspended and he was stripped of his title on April 28 1967 for refusing to be drafted into the Vietnam war.
I will easily go with Pre Exile Muhammad Ali, 1964-1967, that version of Ali had footwork, speed. reflexes, timing and stamina. As champion in his first title reign, 1964-1967, he was never decked, as he was decked by Sonny Banks in Feb 1962, and Henry Cooper in June 1963. He glided around the ring without missing a beat. But on April 28 1967, he refused military induction, then was stripped of his title. He license was revoked upon his conviction of Draft Evasion on June 20 1967, sentenced to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine, he appealed. But upon his return to the ring in Oct 1970, he retained his speed but was more vulnerable to punishment as he no longer had the above listed attributes, The emergence of The Rope A Dope helped him win the title from George Foreman in Oct 1974 but also resulted in his later neurological issues as he lacked stamina. He got lazy, refused to train, got pudgy, the older Ali became involved in dramatic bouts, and gift decisions. Watching Ali fight in post exile, was like waiting for the other shoe to drop, I do not care for drama, as I do not even care for soap operas. Watching Pre exile Ali was like watching poetry in motion.