Ali Beating Foreman -Frazier Beating Ali?

Ali Foreman. George was a heavy favorite and at his absolute peak. Frazier beat a post-prime version of Ali who came back to boxing after over 3 years of inactivity 7 months earlier. It was still a greater win when it comes to the historical significance, but boxing-wise, I would argue Ali win over Foreman was more impressive. Especially looking at the style of it.

 

i'd say frazier. ali had no obvious weakness to exploit.

 

Definitely Frazier beating Ali.

Despite the betting lines heavily favoring Foreman over Ali a lot of former fighters such as Lou Nova, Braddock, Galento, Emile Griffith, and even Archie Moore, who was one of Foreman’s trainers at the time all thought that Ali was a very bad style matchup for Foreman and should be avoided for as long as possible.

Even Frazier and Norton despite both being knocked out by Foreman also thought stylewise that Foreman would be tailormade for Ali.

 

I think he did. The years of inactivity and ring rust. He'd lost some speed and hadn't had chance to adapt his game to compensate at that point in his comeback. He was also unfocussed and distracted by the magnitude of the event. He went for a huge walk around town on the day of the fight.

Foreman was a monster in his prime physically and mentally and with the ring canvas being so soft, it curtailed Al's options and made him fight on the fly. Frazier beat Ali by being himself to the nth degree and outlasting a man with a bit of ringrust. Ali adapted and used a different style to beat a man in good form.

Ali's win for me though both outstanding peeformances.

 

Frazier beating Ali. Why? Because the Ali that Frazier beat would have beaten most every other HW even though it wasn't the best Ali. Foreman was favourite against Ali and I appreciate I am using the unforgiving lens of history to make this call, but George was made for even that version of Ali. Suspect engine, wide marauding attack, slow feet, not much thought for defense and mentally weak in comparison to Ali. Ali destroyed him in the clinches without throwing a punch and when he did throw punches it was a brutal place for George to be. I sonetimes watch that fight and wonder how Foreman survived as long as he did. It was an old fashioned hiding...

 

Did anyone actually think Ali might kill Frazier? I believe quite a few thought Foreman might actually kill Ali

 

In terms of myth Foreman win is more impressive because people overrate Foreman and think Ali was done when he really wasn't at that point. Foreman was too limited to ever truly trouble Ali. In terms of reality beating the greatest HW ever when he is close to prime is much more impressive, therefore Frazier win is better

 

Hi Fergy. Always a good question. Frazier had the most signifigant victory but Ali had the greater one (not much in it though) Foreman beats Frazier then,after a soft initial defence,he beats the formidable Ken Norton. It seemed that a new reign of terror had begun. Then Muhammad pulls off a stroke of magic.

 

The betting odds at that time were.....

Frazier was actually a slight favourite against Ali I'm guessing based on Ali's lay off.

Where as Ali was a big underdog vs Foreman and people that time were worried for Ali's health prior to the Foreman fight.

Foreman had not shown many weaknesses prior to the Ali fight either. Yeah he had a competitive 10 rounder vs Peralta early in his career, but apart from that Foreman was demolishing opponents that had gave Ali tough fights like Chuvalo, Frazier, Norton, etc.

I think with hindsight Frazier/Ali is the more significant win.

But the way Ali outsmarted and basically mentally destroyed Foreman whilst being the only fighter to ever stop Foreman.

I think personally the Foreman win is a bit more memorable for me.

 

Likewise,Fergy.