A Fighter From History That Troubles Ali Like Norton?

Charles.

 

Always felt Michael Spinks would give him plenty of issues, he’d get into range very quickly, Ali, when an opponents would get low, would throw combinations, but would often not realise that his opponents was in punching range and that’s when they could come up with a punch, Doug Jones rocked him doing this, Frazier, who didn’t have the fastest feet, caught him doing this also, so Michael Spinks would land plenty since he has very quick feet and can get low when he chooses to, he could be low, tuck up, allow Ali to throw combinations, then spring up with a combination, Ali would have to make adjustments, Spinks is one of few with similar speed to Ali, Ali also needs to be careful with Spinks’ power, he could easily get rocked if he gets caught clean.

 

A fit, motivated on the level Liston? People seem to forget fight one was close, it was no beat down. Holmes always gives him problems for me.

 

I’m thinking the right counterpuncher who wouldn’t take the lead (a la Jimmy Young without ducking his head through the ropes) would be the right one if they caught Ali not particularly motivated or in shape (the 1960s version would not have issues with this type fighter imo).

Michael Spinks, as mentioned, or Gene Tunney might fit the bill. I think Larry Holmes would trouble Ali regardless (say the version from Shavers I through Cooney or Cobb).

 

Larry Holmes
Ezzard Charles
Jersey Joe Walcott

 

Yes, but I have absolutely no idea who it is.

 

Reg Gutteridge always thought Walcott would be problematical for Ali.

 

I always wondered how the post-exile version would have performed against Lewis tbh

 

Holmes, Louis, Liston, Schmeling, many of the all time top performers at heavy would've given Ali a tough fight.

 

Marciano, Holmes, Michael Spinks and Walcott.

 

Tim Witherspoon prime
Chris Byrd
Jimmy Young
Vitali Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko
Larry Holmes
Lennox Lewis
Michael Spinks
Evander Holyfield
Oleksandr Usyk