Supposed they had met for the last time in the last years of their careers. Frazier was lucky I understand to get a draw with Jumbo Cummins. Ali was beaten by Trevor Berbick decisively. Who would win in 1981? I would pick Frazier. But it would be an ugly fight.
Based on what I know about Cummings-Frazier, and what I know about Jumbo, I'd pick Ali. Ali was competitive against Berbick, who was much better than Cummings. Frazier was half blind and got a gift of a draw against a very mediocre fighter.
In 1981, Muhammad Ali was at least a recent world champion, as opposed to Frazier who hadn't done much since 1976. Ali had gone 10 rounds with both Holmes and Berbick, who were prime fighters, while Frazier barely drew with a journeyman Cummings. Both men had health issues, but nothing significant enough to give the other an advantage. My thinking is that Ali wins a decision over Frazier in 1981.
Going into their bouts with Berbick and Cummings, I actually believed that Ali and Frazier might win, setting up a fourth career ending match in their rivalry, which I expected Muhammad to take by decision. Ali was better against Berbick than Tate and Page were, while Cummings did not impress me against Snipes (except with his physique and his biting). Muhammad also would have been better than Berbick against Holmes, if Ali hadn't foolishly tampered with his prescribed dose of Thyrolar before climbing into the ring with Larry. Still, Holmes wasn't able to put him down, and Richard Green did not choose to stop the match, as he earlier did Holmes/Jones (leaving Dundee to make that choice). Muhammad was clearly no longer the performer he once had been when he schooled Leon Spinks for his final win, but he was still a world class heavyweight when he faced Berbick. Ali was also in better shape for Trevor at 236 than Smoke was for Cummings at 229. Muhammad was only six pounds above his highest winning weight (against Young) in the Bahamas, while Joe was over 12 pounds above his highest winning weight (against Stander). 1981 Ali W UD 1981 Frazier
