Ali 1964 and Ali in 1974? Which was the best version?

The Ali of 1964 would probably beat the Ali of 1974 by way of a close decision. The Ali of '64 had a surplus of speed, energy, quickness and agility. Ali in '74 had lost a step or two in all of those areas. But he was stronger and he punched harder; he was also more seasoned and experienced. But I think the Ali of '64 would win a fight over a '74 Ali based purely on his ability to dance and move for fifteen rounds without tiring; his stamina and speed would allow him to "outbox" the Ali of '74!

 

I can see the 64 Ali beating foreman easier than I can see the 74 Ali beat Liston but as you know, styles make fights but I still lean towards Ali 64.

Not much handspeed was lost but the edge was still with the 64 Ali IMO.

A fair bit of fluidity in footspeed was lost & the 64 Aliwins this category comfortably.

Despite what people say, I dont think Ali 74 hit THAT MUCH harder than Ali 64 IF AT ALL.

Iwas gonna say, `just ask liston` but that wouldnt be quite right now would it as he`s dead now.

The main reason I predict an Ali 64 decision win is stamina.
As great as an athlete as Ali still was in 74, he didnt & couldnt have beaten the 64 version in that department, 10 yrs of wear & tear + 3 yrs & 7 months of ring rust threw in for good measure, no way.

Ali 1964 UD Ali 1974.

 

He wasn't ATG-tested yet in 1964..both wins over Liston are highly questionable.

 

Ali didn't have all of the big names to fight in the 60's like he did in the 70's, but if you were to put a 1964 version of Ali in with the 1971 version of Frazier and the 1974 version of Foreman, I'm sure Ali(Clay) would have won both fights; and he would have outboxed George more so than he did in 1974. Many people say Ali was great late; but I say he was great earlier in his career as well, but he just didn't have the opportunities to show his greatness against other big-name stars like he did later on in the 1970's.

 

Ali himself was asked this question, and he picked the younger version of himself to win.

 

Yes he did...Ali stated that he was stronger physically later in his career...but that while he was younger, he would have outpointed the older, stronger, more experienced version of himself due to his speed...It was in the biography by Thomas Hauser...

 

Yes, that's where I read it. It was interesting, hearing Ali coming up with strategies to try and beat his younger, faster self. In the end he admitted that he didn't think it was possible for his older self to prevail.

Great book...single best volume on Ali IMHO.:good

 

Agreed. Ali pre-exile hit harder than people give him credit for. When he sat down on his shots, he could hit just as hard as in 74 IMO. Although, I think he would've hit harder in 66-7 than in 64.

Basically, Ali of 74 had lost significant footspeed... and fluidity (good word to describe it :good ), as well as a little handspeed. The only advantage the 74 version has, is extra experience and a more mature mind.

 

Roughly how I see it.

 

Muhammad said that his 1966/67 version would win.

 

64 ali had enough power to cut and batter liston up pretty bad at the start of the 3rd round.

 

1964 wins.