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

But still we're on page 20.

(21 with this post)

 

Very nicely summed up.

 

Foley was 34. Ali fought practically anyone who was anyone in that period. And those whom he did n't fight,he would have done,if the American authorities had n't had their...erm....moral seizure. Take a look at a lot of other champions resumes in title defences,and you'll find that Muhammad's record holds up extremely well.

 

So in conclusion: Ali should have fought 34-year old Eddi Machen, who had a two year losing streak and had just lost to three guys Ali did take on, instead of 34-year old Folley who had a four year winning streak. And he should also have stayed clear of bums like Liston, Patterson and Terrell and instead taken on fearsome foes like Spencer, Corletti and Jones (who was as washed up as Machen).

Yeah, that seems about right, doesn't it?

You may be a newbie Il Duce, but you sure are great new prospect. Great things ahead.:good

 

Honestly I can't feel to bad for him. He was a good contender, but he lost against the best he met (Ingo, Floyd and Liston). Had he won just one of those three he would have gotten his title shot. Hell, he probably just needed to beat Mildenberger or Terrell to get that shot. He came up short on five occassions.

And Ali only did what Ingo, Floyd and Liston had done before him: he rematched the one he had taken the title from. In this case it was also more justified, since Liston alleged he quit because of injury (an injury they provided proof for).

Folley was in his mid-30's, but just like Moore, Holmes, Patterson and Lewis he had a lot left at this age. The Folley who fought Ali was certainly no shell of his former self. He still looked in splendid condition and gave Ali a better fight than both Patterson and Terrell did.

But any way you like to twist it, Ali fought the best around: Liston, Patterson, Mildenberger, Terrell and Folley. Janitor showed you this by posting the rankings ages ago.

Again, tell me who the other HW champs were who cleaned out their respective division more decisively? Either you answer this question or throw in the towel (with some dignity).

 

He cleaned out the division without beating Ingo, you mean? Ali left no opponent of such stature untouched.

Now comes the part where you tell me who didn't look sluggish compared to that Ali.

No. Larry didn't come close to that quality of opposition. He just squeeked by a 34-year old Norton and was nearly upset by effing Weaver for god's sake. Now, look at the number of KO losses on Weaver's record...

The best defence Holmes had during his first 9 was a mid-30's Shavers, who earlier not only had lost to Quarry (KO), Lyle (KO) and Ali, but also to Holmes himself. Among other defenses around this time Evangelista can be noted, who didn't even deserve to challenge a severly faded Ali (who still beat him).

Now if you want to talk about someone who ducked deserving contenders, Holmes is an excellent topic... except it has been done to death already.

 

I think we should all just face it and give Il Duce this one. He's right. Ali's reign was a cake walk. Fighting 9 times in 22 months was hardly anything spectacular. His opposition was terribly subpar. We all know that Sonny Liston was really about 42 years old and layed down in the rematch. Floyd Patterson was a Chiropractic nightmare with his back issues.. Cleveland Williams had a bullet in his lunge. Zora Folley was ancient. Ernie Terrell was wearing a plastic title and too tall for his own good. George Chuvalo was Canadian...Enough said...

 

:d

 

you could pick holes in any heavyweight champs defences.

 

I don't think fighting 9 times in 2 years is special
As I've explained my opinion it depends on the quality.