Ali "The Greatest" losing to Spinks

Marciano defeated the old-guard, the greats of the former era, Louis, Charles, Walcott, and they are notable and valid wins. But he was also defeating all-time greats at their arguable worst (except for perhaps Walcott who I believe peaked at 37), Louis returned to pay back taxes and Charles was in the entering into the beginnings of his illness. Rocky's best wins were against great talent, but they were opponents under strong handicaps compared to their prime selves

 

So it's about you feeling that Marciano is not given enough respect? Or is it about how Ali is rated by many?

 

Ali was there in body but not in spirit.

Leon grabbed his opportunity, he beat the man who beat the man, that can never be erased from the record books, he achieved the world title, something a miniscule fraction of boxers ever do.

Seeing Leon lifted in the air in the ring at announcement of his win, his bandaged outstretched hands reaching for the sky, head tossed back, eyes shut with a gapped toothed grin on his face, a real Rocky Balboa moment.

I have to say that image is one of my favourites, I know where I was and who I was with at that moment, twas a good time in teen Kernow Warriors life.

Thanks for the memory Leon, oh i guess Mr Ali had his moments too in his career...one or two at least.

Rest easy champs your duty is done

 

Spinks did not make great defences...

 

Marciano spent about four years fighting world class fighters, Ali was on his 17th at that point. Skipping those 12 years will certainly help you keep a clean sheet.

How do you think Marciano would do against Neon Leon 16 years after his first fight against ranked opposition?

 

I also feel the need to point out as past it and shopworn Ali was at that point, he still was able to avenge the loss and became the first man to be a three time heavyweight champion.



also Leon seems like he was truly a great guy

 

What was Rocky doing when he was 36 years old? Thank you in advance.

 

Ali beat over twice as many ranked opponents as Marciano did.

Marciano's most notable wins were vs old Light Heavyweights and a shadow of his former self Joe Louis.

Ali is rated highly for the sheer amount of quality opposition he beat which is the best Heavyweight resume of all time bar none.

So yes the "Greatest" in regards to Heavyweights is the right claim for Muhammad Ali.

Marciano retired at age 32 or 33 ? How would he have fared at age 36 having almost 60 fights like Ali did ? Who was also had early stages of Parkinsons.

 

I saw him at Field of Dreams autograph shop at CAESARS in 2014. Seemed like a nice guy m

 

Probably at least three times as many wins. Ali had 31 and Rocky had LaStarza, Layne, Louis, Walcott x 2, Charles x 2, Cockell and Moore. That's 9 if I'm correct. Don't think LaStarza was ranked in the first fight.

 

I always had a sneaky suspicion that Ali didn't try too hard in this fight because he wanted to win the title for the 3rd time and knew he could do it easily with Leon. Just a hunch

 

I have always thought the same thing.
It would be really hard to convince me otherwise.

 

Saw it live on TV that night! The fight was a live version of the "Rocky" movie...

 

The winner of the fight had to face Norton, someone who Ali definitely would be nervous fighting again. He campaigned hard for Leon to give him the rematch instead of facing Norton.

 

Why do you think Walcott peaked at 37, when he was getting beat by Rex Layne, rather than at 32 when he was beating Lee Oma, Lee Q Murray, Jimmy Bivins, Elmer Ray, Joe Maxim, Joe Baksi et al?
His record very much seems to point at him being prime in 1945-49.
He certainly looks more mobile on film during those years.