Ali Of The Williams Fight V Frazier Of FOTC?

Frazier of that night would have given any version of Ali hell, be it pre-exile or post exile.

It's possible that version of Ali would have won on points but he will have still visited hell in doing so.

 

It would be more like their second fight, I think, but with less holding. Ali wouldn't be stationary against the ropes for as long periods as he was in FOTC. Perhaps he would do like he did against Chuvalo and try it out for a while and then start moving again when he found out it wasn't working.

There are some frequent myths that need to be adressed. Ali wasn't stronger or punched harder after the exile. In FOTC he was basically the same weight he had been for Chuvalo in 1966 (215 lbs) and in his two previous fights, Quarry and Bonavena, he had been the same weight he was for Williams (212 lbs). You don't come out of 3,5 years inactivity and become stronger without putting on muscle. I would be very surprised if he by that point even had regained the strength he had lost due to the inactivity.

An elite athlete that basically stops training for 3,5 years will lose a lot in terms of strength, speed and stamina. Of course also in terms of technique, timing and instincts. During the six or so months since his comeback Ali could only hope to regain as much as possible. To think he improved in any aspect is fantasy.

 

Fantastic post. I think Ali would win a competitive but clear decision.

 

I always believed that the "prime" Ali from the 60's would beat FOTC Frazier.

 

Well, someone quite important, in a moment of truth, disagreed with your viewpoint.

That "someone" was none other than Muhammad Ali.

Immediately after the FOTC, Ali was asked if his earlier pre-exile version would have done better against Frazier.

His immediate and firm response was that Frazier "would have whipped me (the earlier Ali version) quicker".

His reasoning behind this was that the 1971 version of himself was stronger and tougher than the earlier Ali version.

Which is something I have said for years even before discovering that Ali had said it himself right after the fight. The press conference and specific question and answer are on youtube somewhere.

It was only later that Ali conveniently changed his tune, lol.

I know the Ali Cabana Boys are not going to like it, but it is the truth.

 

Yes, it is my truth and more importantly, it was also Ali's truth.

 

I can't find it, nor have I ever heard it before.

But if he did indeed say it, it's not an atypical thing to say. Tyson said something along those lines after his loss to Lewis, but that doesn't at all make me sure he believes it. I think past great have said similar things right after losing as well - have faint memories of Louis vs Marciano and/or Dempsey vs Tunney.

This could be out of good sportsmanship but it could also be what they believe in that highly charged and emotional moment after a totally exhausting fight. I would in most cases put greater stock in what they say later, when they're collected and have more of a perspective. Having your head pounded for 15 rds hardly makes for being a credible source.

Also, I would caution against naming other as fan boys when you have your idol's manager's name as your alt.

 

FOTC Frazier beats any version of Ali in my opinion

 

The best Ali would move and box over the distance for the win. Prime Ali would not need to rest along the ropes which is where Frazier would need to have Ali for any chance to win. A comfortable 15 round decision 10-5 in rounds for Ali.

 

If Ali said it (if!) he would have been defending his current self is all. Many would have been saying he was past it/finished after the loss. Saying the pre exile version would have beaten or whupped Frazier would hardly have been doing himself a favour at that time.

 

Yeah bud, he said it and it was an immediate honest answer, which is the right kind of way to do things!

The HONEST answer with no ulterior motives, not later influenced by sycophants, revisionists, hangers on, and myth making whores in the media.

Go to youtube, find "Muhammad Ali first loss interviews and highlights". It is in the last minute of the 10:38 video.

 

Yeah, from 8:25 in this clip from 1974 he says that the pre exile version was about as strong but quicker with more stamina:

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This was after he beat Foreman and no longer had anything more to prove. After the Frazier loss it was of utmost importance that he'd convince not only the fans but also himself that he wasn't declined. For how can you summon the confidence and will you need to come back after a devastating defeat if you accept that you just aren't the same anymore?

 

He also said he won. That he he hit Frazier three times more. Do you think he honestly, deep down thought that?

I personally think he knew he had been beat and that he wasn't quite the same, but he told himself and his fans what he needed to.