By the books, is Foreman-Frazier 1 the best victory ever?

Cognitive dissonance can create that impression. Let's think about our thinking. Would Cooper have been as effective in almost knocking out Ali with that left hook in 1971? No.

 

So now you're moving the goal posts to a pre-championship Ali. It's clear to any one that Ali hit his absolute peak between 1966 and 1967. He might have got even better, but that potential was robbed.

A lay off from competition and age removing a lot of mobility does not equal a prime fighter.

Bizarre viewpoint.

 

I don't know because even though Foreman was hard hitting and powerful, he didn't have much in the way of top level boxing skill. Honestly, Max Baer could've put on a similar performance.

 

You'll find that HookandJab is very biased against Ali for God knows why. Best not to waste time on him.

 

And that is why Ali is the GOAT heavyweight champ.....he beat every style there was and two wrecking ball great fighters in Frazier and Foreman in the same era and Norton,and Quarry and Shavers and Lyle and Chuvalo and.....

 

I'd put Liston well up there too in the first fight.

 

Frazier might have been a little overrated.

 

It's very close the best wins in modern boxing are in No Order


Foreman over Frazier
Ali over Foreman
Pacquiao over Barrera
De Jesus over Duran

 

Duran defeating Leonard probably is in my book.

 

Hearns brutal KO of Duran.

 

The greatest victory was Buster Douglas defeating Iron Mike Tyson in 1990 in Tokyo Japan.

That also happens to be the greatest upset in sports history as well.

 

No. The Ali fight was close to 2 years prior. In the 2 years following the FOTC Frazier was unimpressive and Yank Durham wanted him to retire.

 

I don't think it's physically possible to not only regain what you lost from 3,5 years of inactivity in 6 months of training, but also improve. If he had been training as usual during the exile, yes then it would be quite possible. But he didn't. He spoke at colleges and grew fat and soft.

To answer the thread question - yes, I think a case can be made for this being the best win ever in boxing. It depends a lot on what you think of that version of Frazier.

 

I don't think Rahman-Lewis I gets nearly enough credit when it comes to these lists. Perhaps being only 16 years ago means it's not "classic" enough. Four close rounds followed by a 20-1 'dog one-shotting a top 10 HW (top 15 if you hate him) while he was in his dominant championship form? That's the single biggest HW upset/win since Buster-Tyson.

Time to give it it's due.

 

Indeed one hell of a win, and the underdog doing quite a job on the way to victory too. Relaxed, calm, landing the jabs...in this shape/condition rock was BEAST. sadly he didnt have it in him to retain this structure but this win ranks highly, highly up there IMO too.