Ali vs Foreman 2 in 1977

If only Ali agreed to the rematch, George clamoured for throughout 1976, then this thread could have been analysing the actual fight.

 

Ali was renting too much space in George's head to lose. A boring, jab and hold snooze UD Ali.

 

75-76 I'd favor Ali. George didn't take Zaire well and was adjusting his style to Gil Clancy, rebuilding himself mentally. In 77 I would be tempted to go with Foreman if he doesn't makes a tactical blunder, though in a decent fight still.

 

Foreman was a shell of himself in '77 but Ali even moreso.

 

Swag It was scary. I actually thought that I did not make it through open heart surgery to replace my Aortic Valve with a plastic one, I had Aortic Valve Stenosis. This happened on Jan 21 2020. At first the tech about 6" 1 in height did not show his face as he had his face to the side, then as he was pulling me up in bed, he gave me that mean Liston stare, a scowl. Then seeing that I was shocked, he winked at me. He took off right away, the nurse tried to catch up to him but could not. There were no male techs scheduled to take care of me that afternoon. The nurse who was assigned to me told me that he looked like Liston as she was a long time sports fan. I should have asked Liston about Dec 31 1970. I actually thought it was the anesthesia, but I was fully awake.

 

Ali on points in an awful fight. Foreman was mentally in a bad place and as past it as Ali was, I think he manages to eek out a decision.

 

Repeat.
Post Jimmy Young Foreman loses, most likely by knockout again. Foreman's qualities as a fighter are completely degraded.
Before Jimmy Young Foreman loses on points (possibly SD). Muhammad Ali shows the experience gained in "Thrilla in Manila", and wins in a more uncertain fight than with Earnie Shavers. Foreman had his moments. Tough night for Muhammad Ali.

 

With all due respect, The Thrilla in Manila depleted both Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, both were never the same. Both were waiting for the other shoe to drop. Had Ken Norton had fought 3 minutes of every round on Sept 28 1976 in Yankee Stadium that night, he would have beaten Ali for the title. I do believe Ali had enough in the gas tank to beat George Foreman but Manilla did not transform Ali back into the 1967 Ali, rather it made Ali more vulnerable as he left part of himself in that Manilla ring that night in Sept 1975.

 

Before Shavers (September 29th, 1977) Ali would have won again imo. The fact Foreman lost with Young (March, 1977) who knocked him down proves inside Foreman something got broken hopelessly.