More often than not I get the impression folks credit Ali's prime as his pre-exile incarnation when he was more fleet of foot. For my money however I rate the durable (albeit slower) more experienced Ali of the 70's as the more formidable. My question is: Which version of Ali would you favour in a time machine fight against his older/younger self? edit - posted this in general, perhaps some kind moderator would punt it over to classic?
It’s like Pretty Boy Floyd vs Money May.. One utilized his skills and athleticism much better while the other mastered the mental aspect and picked spots to utilize the fading skills.. Ali pre-exile skills was too dynamic.. his jab was the fastest ever at HW to go with his 6’3 frame.. I don’t think Ali in the 60s would have lost to any other HW let alone Joe Frazier and Ken Norton.. But Ali in the 60s would have lost to Foreman because wouldn’t have fought more reserved early on to let Foreman tire out
Ali himself believed the younger version in the late 60's would beat the 70's version. The 70s version went to the ropes too much and he got hit far more often. Ali in the 70's was simply slower with less stamina. 64/67 Ali beats any 70's version.
Ali from 1971-1975 by a county mile. Ali was a better athlete in the 60's, but also had less dimensions to his game and his ring IQ was much better in the 70's. The only negative about Ali in the early 70's was that he wasn't always consistent with his conditioning and paid for it in the ring.
So ...from what's being said, people believe something along the lines that Ali from the frazierII fight was peak Ali.? I've where he was in shape light and fast a la 60s Ali but older and wiser than 60s Ali. Plausible I suppose... What about the Cleveland Willian's performance? The zora Foley win too...
