This was a near 36 year old Ali in the fight prior to losing his title to Spinks. Was this still prime-era Ali or was he already well passed it in this performance? This content is protected
The last decent version of Ali, totally shot after this fight. Needed to retire in so much that Ferdie Pacheco refused to stay in his camp.
6.5/10 Last good performance. But clearly a shadow of the fighter he was compared to just 3 years earlier vs Foreman.
Prime Ali was 1963 to 1967...in the 1970's he became a punching bag...look how he ended up. When people do match-ups why do you use the past his prime Ali?...
I've seen people say 70s Ali through Foreman at least, had some improvements in being able to take shots and keep fighting compared to his pre-exile self. Ali's GOAT legacy was really cemented in his 2nd career in the 70s.
Not good enough to be called a world champion. Imho Ali should have lost the third fight with Norton, and that way everything would be "back to normal". Ali wouldn't lose to Leon Spinks. Leon Spinks would not be HW Champion.
