Could anybody beat prime Ali? If not, who comes the closest.

I think you're doing a good job od trolling yourself.

 

The troll doth protest too much methinks..

Odd how a guy who is only on here a few months knows of posters who were gone years ago…

 

Good point, I have been on here one year and don't know Il Duce or señor pepe although I have seen frankenfrank

 

You need a hobby.

 

Now you're doing as good a job being a troll as anyone here. Folley was on his best career run and rightfully ranked as the top contender. He was getting on in years, but no older than the Holy who beat the **** out of Tyson for example.

No one can say for sure what would have happened if Ali never got exiled and and faced Frazier in 69-70, but there's no strong reason except delusion not to make Ali the favorite in such a scenario. He did beat Frazier 2/3 as it was after all, being past his prime for all three fights.

 

Cus D'amato Tyson (maybe)
Smokin Joe
Holmes
Joe Louis
Lennox Lewis
A mentally sound, post Rumble in the Jungle George Foreman

 

No, you couldnt have. Even tho it is incorrect.

Folly had been stopped 5 times previously, was 36 years old, couldn't hang with Mildeburger or Doug Jones, then beat a bunch of nobodies (an 8 fight Bonavena doesnt count) and that is a formidable legacy building victory?

And let's talk about the great Cleveland Williams by the time Ali got to him....

 

He was younger than Walcott was when he won his title and no older than Holy was when when giving Lewis a good fight.

But more importantly, he hadn't lost a fight for four years (to top contender Terrell), had a draw with the contender Mildenberger (your version of "couldn't hang with"?) and had beaten the same Bonavena that came within in an inch of beating Frazier. Moreover he looked good in the actual fight with Ali (if you actually have cared to watch it?). Please explain to me how that is "shot as ****".