How Does a 1964-67 Ali Vs Foreman Fight Go?

It might actually be worse for Foreman here than it was in the Rumble in the Jungle. His overcommitment to offence and shaky balance was just as crucial to his downfall as the rope a dope was. As impressive a ring cutter as he is, he might just be walking into shots the whole night against a more mobile Ali.

Also, the rope a dope was something Ali had been experimenting on since the Liston days in case his legs couldn't save him. So even if Foreman could manage to properly trap Ali on the ropes without getting countered silly, we'd probably see something akin to the actual fight again.

 

The only question mark would be Ali's durability. Liston had a hard time landing clean, but he was floored by Henry Cooper or Sonny Banks. If Foreman could land some solid blows, could he perhaps stop Ali?

 

The 67' version of Ali that fought Zora Folley would dispatch Foreman in probably the same round as the Zaire Rumble--TKO round 8.

 

Ali beats George as emphatically as he did in Zaire but by his more conventional dancing and stinging method.

 

if he takes Foreman seriously, I think he would do just fine him. Liston did land some decent shots and Ali took them well.

 

In my view it was more carelessness and cockiness that made the young Cassius Clay get caught by Banks' and Copper's left hooks. Muhammad was more focused in the Liston fight.

 

I think it'd actually go longer, That Ali would not have stood still and taken those bombs to the body and wrestled with George which wore him out . He'd have moved all the time., Foreman would gas but later 10th or 11th.

 

George would have to chase the dancing Ali around the ring now, but it would be less exhausting than constantly punching him against the ropes. Ali wins by KO, but a bit later.

 

It depends. My guess is Foreman might actually catch Ali with something big early. Ali, the younger version, held his hands low all the time because of his immense confidence in his reflexes and foot speed. The older Ali used a high guard vs Foreman as he knew he couldn't dance at that speed anymore.

Foreman was an excellent ring cutter and i think he would likely land something hard early to get Ali's attention. Ali would likely survive that and realize he is in with a killer. Ali would survive these rocky moments and regroup.

After that, i think Ali would more around even more, throw more combos and wear Foreman down through his speed and power. But ironically i think this version of Ali is more likely to catch a few hard clean shots to the head.

Ali tko 10.

 

I think the risk for getting knocked tf out is the highest in this scenario. He got knocked down and hurt pretty bad by Henry Cooper. If he takes Foreman lightly and George scores a knockdown, Ali would be in big trouble. And young Foreman was way better at cutting of the ring than Liston. The other way around i give Liston better chances vs the Zaire version of Ali.

But i asume if Ali can establish his style in the first rounds he will win via TKO ~R8-9 due to cuts or landing 20-30 shots on tired Foreman without him answering.

 

Haha pretty much same thoughts... Great reasoning!

 

Similar to Foreman young 10 year's later. The lighter faster man does the job . Good fight