Did Ali have the easiest Heavyweight reign 65'-67'

Not with Tommy Burns's reign around.

 

Why is so much being made of Doug Jones? He was a journeyman who Clay fought when he was 20 years old, with 17 pro fights, and still won regardless of the close nature of the win.. In addition, by the time Clay was champion, Jones was regularly losing, so what does this have to do with his reign being "easy?"

 

Was there supposed to be a rematch with Liston earlier than November that Ali was hurt while training for? Or are you referring to Ali's hernia postponement days before the scheduled November fight?

 

Ali only fought Cooper between Jones and Liston and that was in England a few months later.
Ali was Ring fighter of the year in 63 so obviously it wasnt thought that he was ducking Jones.
Who was recently knocked out prior to facing Ali?

Seems you are throwing names up as people deserving shots but have no basis for them being deserving. Machen lost virtually all his fights during Ali reign, Spencer lost everytime he would start to make himself viable and only really deserved a shot as Ali went into exile and now its Jones who had a good 65 fighting .500 fighters while Ali fought Liston and Patterson

 

I think calling him a journeyman is a bit harsh. Jones was a legitimate top contender in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions in his day, but was unfortunate to fight the likes of Harold Johnson and a young Muhammad Ali. His career went downhill soon after the Fight of the Year with Cassius Clay. But at his best, he was tough as nails and had solid technical skills, if a leaky defense.

Jones gave him a tough test but it's an equally tough task to score the fight for him, viewing it on film.

 

Fair enough, but it seems that a lot is being made of Ali never rematching him. It would be one thig if the guy had put together a lengthy streak of wins over quality fighters and acheived mandatory status after Ali won the title, but that didin't happen. James Douglas lost to David Bey early in his career, does this mean that he should have given him a title shot after beating Tyson?

 

It wasn't really a sparring session, more so a test to see how much Ali had improved from his earlier days. Many fighters fought exhibitions in those days and went at it for real. It was uncompetitive by that point.

 

Was it an easy reign because of Ali's extraordinary abilities, because of his challengers' limitations, or a combination of both? I believe the latter.

Any thoughts on my question regarding Ali in '64 at the end of page 16?

 

He lost...and was out of the ring for a year as done said. Should Ali have knocked down his door and dragged him into the ring. When Jones started his comeback he failed to secure a high enough ranking to face the Champion.

 

trying to rewrite boxing history.

 

Blame Liston's handlers, then.

Liston had already agreed to face Ali by that point.