1964 Cassius Clay vs 1973 George Foreman

The Clay Who Fought Liston vs The Foreman Who Fought Frazier The First Time.

Who wins and how?

 

(Clay-Liston 1 was close
Barney Felix 57-57 | judge: Bernie Lovett 58-56 | judge: Gus Jacobson 56-58 ~)

Both Clay & Foreman had not reached their prime yet.

Clay probably wins by decision, and Foreman improves as a fighter due to the points loss.

 

The fight may have been close on the scorecards, (in part because of Clay being blind for part of the fight) but it wasn't close in reality. Clay thrashed and humiliated Liston with his speed and combinations.

I would guess that he would be capable of dancing all night and outspeeding Foreman, the main x-factor in my mind being whether Clay would keep his head and composure if he did get into trouble. Young Ali had both a major temper issue and there was the bit where he nearly panicked against Liston while blind. If Foreman gets him in trouble or gives him things he didn't plan for, will he be able to keep his head and fight smart?

So long as he is, Clay takes it. World class speed fighters will always give Foreman problems, especially one that is nearly his own size and has the sort of reach that Ali did.

 

Clay all the way....... Foreman gets embarrassed in 70 degree weather with low humidity........ Clay slices and dices Foreman up bad........ Foreman hardly lands anything of note....... Clay see's Foreman's attack while its coming at him....... Cheers......

MR.BILL

 

Clay decisions him. Foreman is better than Liston and much more apt and cutting the ring off. He also has power on his side.

 

I have a feeling the entire dynamic of that fight would be different. Ali would never think about the ropes. Might even get knocked down, but I think he'd still steal the show. Foreman would've known how to handle him even less. I see it going to the cards for Ali.

 

Exactly. Chuvalo thinks Ali's best performance is the fight against Liston. He makes a good case about it.

 

Clay outspeeds Big George to a decision. Speedsters his own size will always be problems for the big but relatively slow Foreman.

 

Clay dominates far more effectively than the old version managed. The young version wouldnt be hit nearly as much. Foreman would be completely outboxed and outmoved before being stopped in the mid rounds

 

I personally feel the Foreman that fought Frazier would have more success. Clay would try and move more and that would tire Foreman out as much as the rope-a-dope. Clay, decision, with some really hairy moments early on.

 

I fancy Clay to do the job. Foreman was just a good match-up for Ali at any stage of what he'd be close to his prime. We know how Ali liked the come-forward sluggers who would be trying nothing but to unload bombs. He thrived on having the massive speed advantage in hand and foot.

If Foreman stuck behind the type of jab he did later in his career, he might give Ali a bit more trouble with the reach advantage he has, but as it is the young Foreman never really fought with the smarts & the discipline that the 90's George did. Even if he did, I think Ali's speed would frustrate him and he'd quickly start looking for the big punches.

As it is, I think he just walks forward in straight lines trying to unload the big combinations and gets busted up. Ali would toy with him at times and win a comfortable decision, if not a late stoppage of some sort due to the volume of punches he'd be landing in comparison.

 

^

And I loved big George.

 

Clay by decision.

I dont see any HW in history being favourite over that version of Muhammad Ali.

 

I also regard it as one of his best performances, taking opponent quality into account, I thought he looked great.

 

foreman hadn't reached his prime in 1973 - tell that to joe frazier lol. that's like saying mike tyson had not yet reached his prime when he destroyed berbick. foreman comes out fast and clay is on the move like v liston. after 4 rounds when foreman has slowed he takes control of the fight.