Greater victory - Ali/Foreman or Duran/Leonard ?

, naaaah, I think Ali closed at a 3-1 dog, hardly a real huge Buster Douglas type upset..

The smart money all went on Ali who obviously had a much higher boxing IQ, a better chin, superior Stamina, and ring generaliship, and had the better corner and the crowd behind him, and experience..

Foreman could punch that's it, when he was taken to deep water by Ali he had no plan B, and drowned..

That all being said, Ali should have been the FAVORITE:huh

 

I think as soon as Foreman won the title a lot of people suspected that Ali would have the beating of him, despite what he'd done to Frazier. I think it was widely accepted that Foreman's people would try to get him a few more 'learning' fights before accepting the Ali challenge.

But then when Ali lost to Norton, and only just got past him in the rematch ... followed by Foreman's destruction of Norton in 2 rounds also ... that's when it began to look like Foreman was in some sort of league of his own, an irrestible force.

 

But as I interpret it, the question isn't about odds and upsets and surprises and perceptions at the time, exceeding expectations etc.

This is straight WHAT IS THE GREATER VICTORY ?

I'd still say Ali-Foreman to that, and I concede that Leonard might be the better p4p scalp at the time.
But Ali beat Foreman - a terrific and formidable heavyweight - so emphatically, making it a greater victory in my eyes.

 

What is the greater victory?

For me, it's Duran over Leonard...at the time of the fights in question, Leonard was, imo, a better (and certainly more COMPLETE) fighter than Foreman, therefore, for me, Duran's win is greater.

 

Pathetic.

 

The fight taking place in a hostile environment for foreman which clearly affected him along with the ropes etc etc make it Duran for me. Duran simply beat a better fighter that day for me and that's why I vote for him. Don't get me wrong, Ali's win was an all time win... I just think Duran's is a little better with less tom foolery involved

 

I'd probably go with Duran.

Leonard being a better fighter than Foreman being a big reason

 

It's complete revisionism to say that Ali in any way was a favorite or anything close to a favorite going into his bout with Foreman. Even Ali's close friend Howard Cosell was concerned Ali would be seriously hurt. I lived through that time and most could not imagine how Ali could win this bout.

 

The final betting odds did not reflect the strong sentiment of the boxing or lay public that Ali would quickly be knocked out. The betting crowd is a very small segment of society.

 

In any fight there is speculation as to how one fighter could potentially win. The overwhelming sentiment was Ali may get seriously hurt. Any other thought here in 2015 is revisionism by those who did not live through those times.

 

Odds makers ( bookmakers in Britain ) know a hell of a lot more than fans, and the public, which is why they are a lot wealthier than those who gamble with them. Bet 365's offer of 4-5 Mayweather just to win v Pac was a brilliant price, as a recent example. Easiest £400, I've earned in a good while.

They made Ali a 3 -1 underdog, because unlike the gullible public, they were not influenced by Norman Mailer types.

Duran's win is far more impressive, because Leonard was seen as the second coming of Ray Robinson at Welterweight.

 

Ali,s by a long way. I d also say ali,s win over liston was a bigger victory than duran against leonard as good as it was.