Ali v Foreman 2

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Stevie G, Jul 30, 2009.


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  1. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Some people have criticised Muhammad Ali for not granting George Foreman a rematch. I recall very well that soon after Zaire,Ali stating that before he retired,he wanted to get this fight on. He has also said that if Foreman had arranged a couple of proper fights in 1975 he would have fought him around September,instead of Joe Frazier. Because Foreman was totally inactive through 1975 except for that farce of an exhibition in Toronto,he allowed himself to drop back in the queue. Who would have won ? Well if it had taken place in 1975 Ali,I reckon,would have done it again convincingly. No matter how Foreman fought. If he had used a similar game plan as in Zaire then de ja vu for George. If he had been more patient and tried to keep the fight in the middle of the ring Ali would have outboxed him. This would culminate in either a late stoppage by Muhammad or a sizeable points decision. Now if it had occurred in 1976/77 things get a bit cloudier. George would stand a better chance with a post-Manilla Ali. However Ali would still mess with his head so much that he would n't know what strategy to employ. Ironically Foreman's best chance with this older Ali would be to do what he did in the Rumble In The Jungle,yet he still be would n't be confident enough to employ this method. It would n't surprise me if this version of Ali eked out a close but probably controversial points decision.
     
    Stevie G, Jul 30, 2009
    Stevie G, Jul 30, 2009
    #1
  2. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    In a place where the heat doesn't get to him, Foreman lasts until the final bell. he loses a wide decision however, psychologally after the 1st fight I can't see him beating Ali.

    The Greatest had his number, simple as that.
     
    Flea Man, Jul 30, 2009
    Flea Man, Jul 30, 2009
    #2
  3. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    I think Ali wins again, George would be tentative to come forward like he did in Zaire, fearing a repeat.... & in the middle of the ring he gives Ali the advantage still, due to precise & faster punching, better movement etc.

    If George could shorten up his power punches & not stand to tall with that chin hanging, he could make the rope-a-dope work against Ali, much like Frazier did but styles make fights & if George fought like that he wouldnt be George so I go with Ali again.

    :good
     
    Bill Butcher, Jul 30, 2009
    Bill Butcher, Jul 30, 2009
    #3
  4. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    He said a lot of things, other than sign on the dotted line. :good
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Jul 30, 2009
    My dinner with Conteh, Jul 30, 2009
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  5. PbP Bacon

    PbP Bacon ALL TIME FAT Full Member

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    I think that even a faded Ali would have defeated Foreman in a rematch. Psychology would have played a big role in that fight.

    Foreman would have entered into the ring with his bully attitude already shattered by the Rumble, his mind full of doubts and fears of failure, unsure on how to fight Ali. Therefore, I think that Foreman would give the initiative to Ali, allowing him to dictate the pace of the fight.
     
    PbP Bacon, Jul 30, 2009
    PbP Bacon, Jul 30, 2009
    #5
  6. OBCboxer

    OBCboxer Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali would win again. He psyched Foreman out in the Rumble and Foreman lost his confidence.
     
    OBCboxer, Jul 30, 2009
    OBCboxer, Jul 30, 2009
    #6
  7. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    As I've already implied,the ball was in Big George's court in early 1975. After all there's no way The Greatest would of been afraid of signing the rematch up,because he had no hesitation at giving Joe Frazier and Ken Norton title fights,and in Ali's own words,both had given him hell over the course of two fights apiece. Foreman was easy for him in comparisson.
     
    Stevie G, Jul 30, 2009
    Stevie G, Jul 30, 2009
    #7
  8. Shake

    Shake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ali was in great shape for the Foreman fight. It would have been hard to equal the physical sharpness he mustered up for it. However, if he could, I believe he would have won again. Because of this, though, I'd say Ali would lose any time after the third fight with Frazier.

    Against a hunting puncher such as George, slipping in old age hurts, imo.
     
    Shake, Jul 30, 2009
    Shake, Jul 30, 2009
    #8
  9. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Remember Muhammad's psychology though. As Jose Torres once said. Do n't watch Ali's hands or feet when he fights. Watch his brains.
     
    Stevie G, Jul 30, 2009
    Stevie G, Jul 30, 2009
    #9
  10. PbP Bacon

    PbP Bacon ALL TIME FAT Full Member

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    I agree partially with this, but my impression is that the Ali-Foreman rematch would replace Ali-Frazier III, so there would have been no Thrilla in Manila
     
    PbP Bacon, Jul 30, 2009
    PbP Bacon, Jul 30, 2009
    #10
  11. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    He avoided Foreman for most of 76 and early 77, announcing his retirement a few times, thus gaining extra time to get around his mandatory obligation (of fighting George). There were three massive fight for him out there, he took two of them and was reluctant to take the other.
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Jul 30, 2009
    My dinner with Conteh, Jul 30, 2009
    #11
  12. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    I have to agree there, the 3rd Frazier fight took too much from Ali, if he fought George after this fight, Foreman has a real shot of beating him.

    Anytime before the Thrilla or even vs George in place of the Thrilla, I go for Ali, he had a lot left then but emptied himself fighting Joe in Manila.
     
    Bill Butcher, Jul 30, 2009
    Bill Butcher, Jul 30, 2009
    #12
  13. djanders

    djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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    In an Ali-Foreman2, Ali would have won by unanimous decision...in my opinion.
     
    djanders, Jul 30, 2009
    djanders, Jul 30, 2009
    #13
  14. BUDW

    BUDW Boxing Addict Full Member

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    George wins by KO, he wont fall for rope a dope twice, George picks his shots and gets Ali late.
     
    BUDW, Jul 30, 2009
    BUDW, Jul 30, 2009
    #14
  15. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Wouldnt have been wise to bet the mortgage on that **** I dont think.
     
    Bill Butcher, Jul 30, 2009
    Bill Butcher, Jul 30, 2009
    #15
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