Ali of the first Frazier fight VS. These Swarmers/Punchers

I thought it would be interesting to look at how the Ali of the night he lost to Frazier would have done against other heavyweights who fought in relatively similar styles to Frazier. Considering how troubled Ali was with Frazier's style, I should think some of these fighters could also pull such a victory. Again, we are talking about the Ali of 1971 about to lose to Frazier, not a peak version of Ali of the mid-1960's.
Jack Dempsey of "Toledo"
Rocky Marciano of 1952-54
Floyd Patterson of 1958-60
Mike Tyson of 1985-88
And just for fun, Tony Galento on his best night.

 

Great answer. I agree with you on all these points, and that's partially why I asked this question. Most serious fans of boxing history and technique would pick the peak, Ali, over all the fighters I mentioned besides perhaps Tyson (wonder who is overall more favored on here?). This Ali, is interesting, still an elite fighter, but a ring rusty one past his best. Ali did defeat Patterson, but Patterson was arguably both past his best (not washed up) and may have had a back injury when he met Ali. That being said, I believe the Patterson of 58-60 still loses to Ali, but its worth thinking about. Also, as you said all, are you including Galento in those who would beat this version of Ali?

 

As for my opinions on how the fights would go.

This Ali loses to Dempsey by knockout. Of all the boxers I mentioned, Dempsey was stylistically the closest to Frazier (Frazier pretty much copied him to the best of his ability in much of his technique). That being said, Dempsey was a considerably harder hitter, and seemed to have less predictable body and head movement as well as being a better infighter. However, Dempsey was not as effective at cutting off the ring as Frazier. All this considered, I think Dempsey knocks Ali out, battering him in the middle rounds. Volume punching combined with power is key to him ending this by stoppage rather than a decision like Frazier.

Rocky Marciano, I think has the edge here. Rocky lacks the defensive movement and footspeed of fighters like Frazier, and Dempsey and was also not as effective a combination puncher. Rocky is considerably easier to hit than all big names mentioned, but he could take those hits as well as any too. At this point, Ali's stamina had noticeably diminished, something that Rocky might be able to capitalize on with his godly conditioning. That along with Alis's rusty reflexes and somewhat slower footwork might align enough to give the edge to Rocky. While I could see this going to a decision, I think it's more likely Rocky gets a KO/TKO, at some point past 10

When Patterson fought Ali, Ali was at his best while Patterson was thirty and clearly on the downhill. Patterson's back was also likely injured in the first round, and despite that would remain on his feet until the 12th. I believe the prime version of Patterson would have fared considerably better against 65 Ali, Ali would need ready to get business done rather than taunting him and the fight would likely have been much more competitive with Ali emerging as the victor. In this scenario, I believe a ring-rusty Ali meeting the peak version of Floyd Patterson results in Patterson winning by decision with a 1/3 chance of Ali getting the KO at some point

A raging Iron Mike would pulverize the Ali of the Frazier fight. Tyson was faster, harder hitting, and has superior body/head movement to Frazier, only lacking Smoking Joe's stamina. Tyson's relentless body shots simply wear down Ali in the early rounds, setting him up for the big finale by 6.

Tony Galento Fails to Moida the bum and gets TKO'd at some point late in the fight, past 8 at least. He probably KD's Ali at some point

 

Tyson does worse than Galento? Interesting thesis. I can see why one may pick Ali over Patterson,
I agree with Rocky, though think ole Dempsey gets it done quicker (see my other comment with my answers)