Evaluate Ali's and Frazier's performances in FOTC

True.

 

Even better post. I'd add though that Ali was fortunate that Frazier didn't have a more varied offensive repertoire (more feints, uppercuts, and short straight punches could have been extremely effective while Ali was languishing on the ropes in the later rounds).

 

Frazier A+, Ali an A.
(No one knows what Ali would have looked like from 1967-1970. He brought the "career" situation down on himself. The Williams fight is overrated, the guy had been "gun-shot" by a 357 mag, at point-blank range. The same could be said about Joe Louis....who had his career negatively affected by his need to serve his country in WW2).

 

Two things. One, Ali fought 17 rounds in 1970 and Frazier fought 6 rounds in 1970. Second thing, Bonavena, Quarry and Joe Frazier were better than any of the men Ali had previously fought.

 

You seem touchy. Everything okay?

But I largely agree with your take on the fight. Technically Ali was good in this fight. His punch placement excellent. I think he was even upping his punchrate. I don’t think Ali lost anymore steps than he showed in the Foley fight. He was beginning to sit down a lot more then but Frazier really was better than anything he experienced till then.

 

I’ve edited my post.

I object to your accusation. What’s with this crap about trolls each time people say stuff you can’t formulate an answer to? It’s pathetic. “I have no answer to your informed opinion so you must be a troll”. GTFO.

Half the people on this thread are commenting on the same thing! You going to call longhorn a troll?

 

Bonavena and Quarry were better than Liston?

 

Much as I dislike Choklab, it seems you were overreacting and misread his post. You owe him an apology.

 

I apologise, Of course Liston was better than Bonavena and Quarry. I forgot about Sonny. He was actually the one guy better than Bonavena and Quarry that Ali had beat until then. they would both give Sonny a great fight though!

But let’s just stick to the technicalities of the first Frazier Ali fight...

 

I severely disagree.

 

You would wouldn’t you...

Not being able to disagree with somebody does not constitute a genuine reason to be rude toward somebody. Something you entirely stand for isn’t it?

 

I disagree 18rds of boxing in 4 years isn't nearly enough to be facing the number one man. The Quarry fight was inconclusive and ended to early to make a definitive opinion of what Ali had left.I thought he looked ordinary against Bonavena. Ali retreated to the ropes against Frazier because he didnt trust either his legs or his stamina. I agree with Angelo Dundee when he said." We never saw Ail's prime!"