Take away Ali’s iron chin. Then what?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Journeyman92, Apr 14, 2022.



  1. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    How’s Ali do in his career if we knock his uncrackable chin and hand him one on the level of let’s say Floyd Patterson. Do you like his chances? I mean, his defence is “otherworldly” right? Answer it properly.
     
  2. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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  3. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I don't think it would change a lot during his prime, but his post-prime career would be ugly.
     
  4. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    You think with a Patterson level chin he survives Frazier landing a thousand hooks on him?
     
  5. Rollin

    Rollin Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Post-Exile would be shredded to bits. On the other hand, seeing how smart Ali was, he might just never stop training like a champion, trying to keep the Ali-Norton II form as long as possible.
     
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  6. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    So you think if Ali had Patterson’s chin he’d manage?
     
  7. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    No, but he already lost FOTC. Any other Frazier fight would be a massacre for him, but he was already past his prime in these.
     
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  8. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist Full Member

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    A starting point would be getting knocked out by Cooper.
     
  9. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It’s amazing what the Ali skeptics come up with.
     
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  10. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    Maybe...although he has a Pattersonesque chin, which means he probably keeps getting up.

    Lots of the first career guys didn't pose the same risk as his 70s opposition. Loses to Foreman and a whole bunch of other guys, most likely. Later career totally collapses.

    He wasn't that far off from his best in the very early 70s...But Frazier goes through him like a buzzsaw, just like Frazier did to Ellis. Before that, Bonavena becomes a real threat. Liston might catch him with something. A healthy Floyd would've had a chance, interestingly, but not back injury Floyd. Cooper could do it once in two fights, conceivably.

    Most people thought Ali didn't get hit much in Career 1, and doubted his chin. So he may not have been tagged often. Part of it comes down to his 70s opposition genuinely being better overall, though.
     
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  11. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    What? It’s just fun food for thought. Ali licks pretty much everybody at HW it’s a fact. Not sure what you’re trying to paint me as.
     
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  12. Rakesh

    Rakesh Active Member Full Member

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    60s career gets a bit unstable, probably not as much dominant performances and looks dominant but not the "greatest H2H HW of all time". 70s is an absolute massacre, I can name at least 5 possible loses there already. Frazier, Shavers, Bonavena, and Foreman are VERY dangerous fights,
     
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  13. Rollin

    Rollin Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I'm afraid not. I believe however that we might see a few more fights in which he shows the glimpses of his old self before ultimately succumbing to the curse of aging.
     
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  14. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member Full Member

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    Ali's chin was a big part of why he was so successful. Take that away and things look dire for him. He may well have become an even more elusive boxer, trying at all costs to keep things at range.
     
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  15. BCS8

    BCS8 VIP Member Full Member

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    Next thread: let's take away Golovkin's chin. How does he do? ;)
     
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