Lets say Foreman gets a rematch after his crushing defeat in Zaire. No ultra damaging post Foreman fights for Ali, of course. No Frazier III, Shaver's, etc. If Foreman were to avenge his loss, would he of continued fighting into the 80's, a reknewed wrecking ball of a fighter with his confidence fully restored? I honestly feel if the first fight was to of taken place in a air conditioned arena in NYC, without ridicuously loose ropes Foreman would have won, one way or another. Foreman was so unbelievably mentally broke even before that fight it was unbelievable. Maybe the only fight more oppressive then that for a fighter was Schmeling/Louis II. I mean, really. Foreman had the breed of dog in Africa that was used by the military to attack and terroize the citizens of Zaire. Was Foreman ****ing dumb or what?
Ali wins the first, then retires, unretires and fights the Evangelista's of the world to "get ready for Foreman" to stall the rematch until Foreman loses and retires.
The rope a dope was just one of many ways that Ali could beat Foreman with. Hell, how do hell does doing nothing but taking punches on the ropes become a strategy? Doesn't that tell you something? Foreman was a horrible boxer and even in '77, i'm not sure if he could beat that version of Ali.
In my opinion...a trilogy at that time would have looked something like this: Ali KO08, Ali KO13, Ali KO12.
The story changes as the books keep coming out. In most initial reports Ali said he wanted to dance early, but Foreman was too well programmed and immediately cut off the ring and forced Ali to the ropes. Ali won the first fight. I think Foreman could improve by using his jab and his power ....and he needs to be in a site like Houston to raise his chances. I don't think Ali could take the all-out beating he absorbed in 3 fights w/o folding at least once.
