1967 Muhammad Ali vs. 1971 Joe Frazier - Who Wins

Frazier from FOTC likely would still beat Ali. I don’t see Ali ever having an easy time with Frazier’s style.

 

I still like Frazier..Still gonna be too much pressure against a physically weaker Ali. If Chuvalo could stay close Frazier does much better. I'll take Frazier UD

 

I think Ali would win on points due to his speed and footwork.

 

Frazier is always going to be a tough fight for Ali no matter what, but I’ll pick the 1967 version to win a close decision

 

If you think Ali gets an “easy decision” in this bout you’re delusional. Their would be nothing resembling ease in this match.

 

I think 1967 Muhammad Ali prevails against 1971 Joe Frazier, he would not be laying on the ropes looking to rest as in 1971, he had unending stamina, always on his toes, popping off that left jab, catching Joe on the way in with his quick right hand, remember Ali had enormous stamina back then, he would not toy with Joe. Ali as champion was never decked by anyone, the last to do it was in his pre title days against Henry Cooper on June 18 1963, but on May 21 1966, he sliced up Henry. TKO 6, zero knockdown. Ali was not a puncher like Frazier. I see a 9-6 decision for Ali. Yank Durham did not want Joe in the ring with champion Ali in 1967.

 

Hmm, I honestly thought a 67' Ali would struggle because he lacked experiences with tough wars, but a FOTC Ali also did, I think a key disadvantage for Ali here is he isn't as physically strong. Certainly more competitive then the first fight but a UD for Frazier.

 

Opinion respected, but a smart fighter does not have to engage in wars with all the physical gifts that Muhammad Ali had in 1967, speed, reflexes, stamina, footwork and timing. Ali had only 18 rounds in 43 months, 1967-1970. Not the fault of Joe Frazier, who fought a fabulous fight the night of March 8 1971, Joe won it fair and square. Ali did toy with Joe, laid on the ropes too much, he lacked 1967 stamina. Drama does not help one win fights in my opinion. Drama is for soap operas.

 

Frazier by at least majority decision. Ali's not beating the FOTC Frazier.

 

Ali in a hard fought fight that takes both into deep water. Ali's youth would be the difference for mine. Bit quicker, bit more wind. I agree with the many that believe he was a bit undercooked going into the actual FOTC. A younger Ali would be a bit more of an offensive threat to Frazier as well due to the aforementioned. I've never bought into the theory he was less sturdy and not as strong pre exile. His weight had settled at 212 or a smidge over pre exile and that's around what his first two fights were post exile with the third being Frazier at 213. It's not like he'd been hitting weights and bulking up in those three and a half years off. We didn't see it pre exile because he simply never needed it. He came back an older altered fighter.

 

Could fleet of feet Ali still dance their merry tune, if Snorting bull like Frazier, stamps on them for 15 Rounds??

 

Muhammad Ali would not let him get close enough to stomp on them. The 1967 Ali did not use Rope A Dope until much later. He tried a glimpse of it in March 1966 against George Chuvalo, but did not like the way that it made his back feel, so I doubt he would use it against Joe Frazier.

 

Your probably right, Richard.
But Ali would have to be so careful in there too.
Dancing, as he did in his younger years does leave him vulnerable at times.
He can't afford to drop his hands down for Joe to unleash that mad left hook.
We saw it with Cooper of course.
And Joe wasn't going to be stopped on cut s, well very doubtful.

I believe Ali can get a decision, but it's filled with danger.