Rank these fighters from most to least likely to beat prime Ali

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Apr 2, 2025.


  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Prime Jeffries would demolish a grizzly in 2 Full Member

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    Inspired by the thread where Ali said Ez would be a difficult fight for him. How bout we include a few others onto the list;

    Ezzard Charles
    Gene Tunney
    Jack Sharkey
    Max Schmeling
    Jack Dempsey
     
    Melankomas, Apr 2, 2025
    Melankomas, Apr 2, 2025
    #1
  2. SixesAndSevens

    SixesAndSevens Gator Wrestler Extraordinaire Full Member

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    Max Schmeling
    Ezzard Charles
    Gene Tunney
    Jack Dempsey
    Jack Sharkey

    Rated first to fifth most likely, in that order.
     
    SixesAndSevens, Apr 2, 2025
    SixesAndSevens, Apr 2, 2025
    #2
  3. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Jack Dempsey
    Ezzard Charles
    Max Schmeling
    Gene Tunney
    Jack Sharkey
     
    Seamus, Apr 2, 2025
    Seamus, Apr 2, 2025
    #3
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  4. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    My list exactly. Though I’d switch Tunney and Sharkey.
     
    swagdelfadeel, Apr 2, 2025
    swagdelfadeel, Apr 2, 2025
    #4
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  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Agreed. Dempsey’s fast hands, relentless pressure and lethal left hook makes him the most likely candidate
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 2, 2025
    mr. magoo, Apr 2, 2025
    #5
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  6. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    1. Jack Dempsey
    2. Max Schmeling
    3. Jack Sharkey
    4. Ezzard Charles
    5. Gene Tunney
     
    Shay Sonya, Apr 2, 2025
    Shay Sonya, Apr 2, 2025
    #6
  7. Ike

    Ike Member Full Member

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    Gene Tunney
    Jack Dempsey
    Ezzard Charles
    Max Schmeling
    Jack Sharkey

    I think that Tunney's exceptional footwork and his quick punches could have created several problems for the prime Ali, who thanks to his footwork and speed I see as the most favored against the other four fighters.
     
    Ike, Apr 3, 2025
    Ike, Apr 3, 2025
    #7
  8. TipNom

    TipNom Active Member Full Member

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    1. Charles
    2. Dempsey
    3. Schmeling
    4. Tunney
    5. Sharkey
     
    TipNom, Apr 3, 2025
    TipNom, Apr 3, 2025
    #8
  9. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    1. Jack Sharkey

    2. Jack Dempsey
    3. Ezzard Charles
    4. Gene Tunney
     
    ETM, Apr 3, 2025
    ETM, Apr 3, 2025
    #9
  10. Pedro_El_Chef

    Pedro_El_Chef Active Member Full Member

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    Schmeling
    Tunney
    Dempsey
    Charles
    Sharkey
     
    Pedro_El_Chef, Apr 3, 2025
    Pedro_El_Chef, Apr 3, 2025
    #10
  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    You forgot Scott Ledoux
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Apr 3, 2025
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Apr 3, 2025
    #11
  12. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    I think Tunney's slick style might make it a bit more likely for him to upset Ali than Schmeling's counter punching style but otherwise i agree:

    1. Dempsey
    2. Charles
    3. Tunney
    4. Schmeling
    5. Sharkey
     
    dmt, Apr 3, 2025
    dmt, Apr 3, 2025
    #12
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  13. bolo specialist

    bolo specialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    IMO,
    1. Dempsey
    2. Tunney
    3. Charles
    4. Sharkey
    5. Schmeling

    Though the only 1 I would give a serious chance of beating Ali would be Dempsey, given Ali's troubles w/ a smaller, lighter powerpuncher w/ quick hands in Doug Jones.
     
    bolo specialist, Apr 3, 2025
    bolo specialist, Apr 3, 2025
    #13
  14. bolo specialist

    bolo specialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree, I see Schmeling as 1 of the least likely to upset Ali.
     
    bolo specialist, Apr 3, 2025
    bolo specialist, Apr 3, 2025
    #14
    dmt likes this.
  15. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I agree with this list,,,
     
    Reinhardt, Apr 3, 2025
    Reinhardt, Apr 3, 2025
    #15
    dmt likes this.