I heard an interview with Ali right after he beat Foreman. He said that the Cassius Clay who beat Liston could easily beat him [Ali]. I'm sure his opinion is worth a lot more than mine, but I have a hard time agreeing with him. The Clay who beat Liston was fresh from being decked hard by Henry Cooper and beat by Doug Jones. I've always believed his wins over Liston had an odor to them. At the best, he beat an out-of-shape and lazy Liston. The Ali who beat Foreman was the smartest fighter I have ever seen. What do you think?
Bull****. Clay was promising but full of holes. Ali achieved greatness, metamorphized his attributes to make a complete style. It is patently obvious to even the casual observer.
The Muhammad Ali of 1966/67 could have beaten the Ali of 1974. Cassius Clay of '64 would n't have. Muhammad Ali 1974 UD Cassius Clay 1964.
