Ali in the 70s (what parts of his game were better than the 60s version?)

Had Ali fought during that 3 year layoff? IMO he would have cleaned the table, including Joe (tho a tough scrap), during that period.

 

Non-issue IMO; he was a kid then...

 

2015 lb Muhammad Ali would box circles around an actual Big Bear.

 

He had a pretty hefty weight range in those days. People talk about Duran in his 30's, but he didn't even come close to an 1800 lbs difference,

 

I think he had to be smarter and more tactical because he could no longer simply rely on his physical gifts like before the layoff.

 

My thoughts exactly.

 

Granted he beat Liston next fight but using the Clay from Cooper 1 totally misses the point of peak pre exile Ali.

It was almost 4 full years after Cooper 1 when Ali went into exile 10 fights later with most against world class opposition. Ali was a much improved fighter by this time and that is the version (66-67) to be looking at when assessing the best of Ali.

It's akin to the ridiculous amount of importance some seem to place on an up and coming Joe Frazier's "troubles" against Bonavena.

 

Experience with different types of fighters is the only advantage 70s Ali had over the 60s model.

The very best 70s incarnation of Muhammad (imo circa 1972-74) when in top shape was still very....very fast for a heavyweight but had obviously lost a tad of his speed and high workrate on his return from exile.

 

For me Norton is the potential banana skin if he never had the lay-off.

 

Ali had both the experience and progressively devastating ring intelligence on his side.

Plus...I notice he started bending over at the waist more, especially after the FOTC.

Even better, he really had a great grasp (as did Holmes) of mixing up his punch velocities (all credit for this last, eminently astute observation I must give to an excellent video analyzing Larry's performance against Leon). Ali underscored George's rumored status as one trick pony at the time by exposing him to a spectrum of punches which, by dint of precisely the brilliant measurements as well as often precise and thrilling execution made Ali look better than Joe Louis against anybody imo.

 

On the contrary, I believe a 60s Ali would've boxed circles around Norton. The closest to a 60s Ali he faced was in the second fight when he lost quite decisively. Frazier imo would've been a tough fight for him anytime.

 

I was talking about if he Ali never was exiled and met Norton in 73-74.

 

Alright I misunderstood. My apologies!

 

Prime Alis greatness was all about speed, reflexes, footwork, lateral movement, endurance and great combination punching.

All of this was lesser after his 4 year layoff.

Prime Ali would not be concerned about the ring conditions in Zaire and would have beaten Foreman convincingly as he did Liston.