Has a boxer ever been in a worse condition before a fight than Ali before he fought Holmes?

Oh no, me either.

 

Dadashev had apparently concealed a serious TBI in order to get licensed, only to die against Mathias.

McClellan was rumored to have something wrong with him before Benn and Valero was allowed to fight after a serious head injury, an abnormal MRI, and apparently loss of his sanity.

 

Arcel also said Duran was in better condition than he was in Montreal and also said he thought Duran would stop Leonard in the rematch.
Duran said the same prior to the rematch.
Most importantly Duran looked in great shape and didn't appear dehydrated.
The excuses after the fact take with a grain of salt.
Just as Duran got into Leonard's head in Montreal and it made him fight tactically wrong.
Leonard got into Duran's head in New Orleans, frustrated by Leonard's movement and taunting, combined with his deep seated hatred for him , and the thought of losing to him, Duran in a split second moment of unclarity, decided to take his toys and go home.
As most bullies do when things don't go there way.
Not trashing Duran, because he IS one of my favorites in the history of the sport, and he more than atoned for that major mistake after New Orleans.
But let's stop with the excuses made for that one moment, and bad judgment in an otherwise legendary career.