Ali vs Foreman in 1972, does it change history?

Not at all.

Ali only beat Frazier AFTER Foreman had given Frazier one of the worst 2-round beatings in the history of heavyweight boxing.

If you change the scenario, so it's Ali who's entering the ring after a tough win over Foreman (which I'm sure it would be, like it was in Zaire) .... against an unbeaten Frazier who has NOT been pummelled by Foreman ..

.... I strongly fancy Frazier's chances against Ali in a rematch.

 

As much as I agree with your point of view, the thing is Joe got really overconfident after FOTC, while Ali was more motivated than ever. It's really sad that one single fight ruined what could have easily been a great and long career.

 

Relentless come forward swarmers that ship the punishment that Frazier endured are never going to have long careers,well not great long ones anyway. The difference after FOTC is that Ali had shed his ring rust.

 

Gargleooph.....spuddleick ach0vergrumpf

 

As I've said before, Ali orchestrated his comeback in his second career. He smartly watched Foreman from the time he came back and no way were he, or Dundee, going to put him in against Foreman in 1972. Sort of like no way were he, or Dundee, going to put him in against Eddie Machen in 62-63. Same scenerio except it's a boxer and a puncher involved two fighters that, at the time could have clocked him big time or boxed his ears off. Is Ali better than both of them? Yes, but Ali played the matchup game to his advantage from the get go.

 

No, Ali woz e mach inferior faiter 2 Foreman .
4man wud hev probabli stopt him ander legitim8 circumstances et list from 1973 end on .
In 1972 , 4man mait hed bin jast grin inaf 4 Ali 2 last d distanc wiz him .
Bat wizawt dem rowps , hit , dehydr8ing end overol spirit of de sings in Kinshasa , Zaire , 1974 , it wud not hev ended de seim or clous 2 seim

 

What me worry .

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Machen was confined to a hospital with mental health issues early 1963. At the beginning of 1962 the 20 years old Ali had a total of 10 fights. Machen was then 30 years old and had been rated no 2 at the end of 1961/ beginning 1962.

Frazier did not fight Machen until Machen was 34 years old and had won just 3 of his last 8 fights.