How would the HW's in this thread and how would these fights and scenarios go: Scenario 1 - 1976 Ali-Norton - exact same fight but..... 1. Norton gets an SD over Ali instead of losing. He is 2-1 against the greatest 2. Norton elects to fight No1 contender Foreman who drops out of fights with Frazier/Young in late '76. Norton being the champ gets career high money setting him for life meaning he needn't fight past prime. Most would agree Foreman bombs Norton out EARLY 1977 - History now split in 2 tangents (3a and 3b), 3a doesn't happen in the time line but its an interesting tangent 3a. Foreman faces Ali in a rematch - does Ali regain the championship? Does a Foreman who's regained his confidence take the hardest stylistic match up? Can Ali still take Foreman in his near shot state? 3b. Foreman faces Holmes - Holmes poses the same stylistic nightmare, but would at times slug it out or leaving openings for big shots, would. If Foreman loses he retires until his 1987 comeback Following 3B Scenario March-September 1977 - Holmes is now champion (and Scenario 3b never actually happened) 4. Holmes Faces Ali as his first defense (Ali didnt face Foreman in this scenario), this is the Ali of 1977 that looked shot but this time he's extra determined to get the title back 5. Faces Frazier who hasn't lost since Ali 6. Faces a comebacking Norton, Norton is unbeaten since the second Foreman loss and takes an SD, Norton now retires financially stable Imagine the following Holmes HW Championship is started with wins over: Foreman, Ali, Frazier, Norton Norton - officially 2-1 against Ali, linear champ, an SD at the age of 34 and only 5 losses to Garcia, Holmes, Ali and twice to Foreman Foreman - now a 3 time champ Ali - only a 2 time champ, although usually isnt rated for his post Frazier legacy anyway How would this affect all their standings? Would Ali still be GOAT? Could Holmes be consider GOAT? Is Foreman second Tier? Does Norton get bumped into top 15 or even top 10?
iI is possible to argue Larry as GOAT, IMO. (Then, I'd argue most anything!) PS Foreman was considered second tier until he came back.