How would Muhammad Ali do against the heavyweights in the past 35 years

Richard M Murrieta · Oct 28, 2019

Seamus said: ↑

In the 60's he was skittish like a waterbug. That worked fine against a mummy like a shot Cleveland Williams.

But to see true Ali, watch the Berbick fight. Bereft of some of his physical abilities he manages a masterful performance over a future world champion.
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Not a true Ali, what have you been sipping on ? That was 1981, Ali was far past his prime, he got beat up by Trevor Berbick. Skittish like a water bug, you need glasses. I suppose you think that Lennox Lewis and his glass jaw was the greatest champion in history.

Entaowed · Oct 29, 2019

George Crowcroft said: ↑

Loses to Wlad, beats Vitali quite easily.

Tyson does well early on, but is wore down when he realises that he isn't intimidating Ali at all. Ali would wind him up to the point Tyson is being led like a lamb to the slaughter and Ali is peppering him with combo after combo until Tyson is stopped, probably around 14. Or Ali takes a decision over 12.

Beats him quite easily, takes a few jabs and drops a round or two, but wins convincingly.

Ali UD15,12

Tough fight, 50-50.
I can see 2 scenarios, one where Ali is too quick (which I think is more likely) and darts in and out taking a UD and making Bowe's face look like he'd stuck it in poison ivy.
Or Bowe's excellent left giving Ali fits and him managing to set up some overhands which make Ali fight more cautiously and start to lose rounds.

So either Ali UD or Bowe SD. Definitely Ali over 15.

Both get comprehensively schooled and slowly beaten down.
Well actually, Jones gets stopped early, James gets slowly beaten down.

His defence would make Ali miss some tho.
Ali TKO3, Ali UD15

This would be bullying. Valuev's speed is several galaxies below Ali's and it would show. He also doesn't have the power to even slightly ditur Ali. But what he does have is the chin to hang in there taking his beating. He'd also have some choice words for Valuev before the fight.

Ali UD15/12

Same as Wlad, losing based on size and the skill to consistently land the left whilst being able to grab Ali in clinches and set up power punches to make him fight more cautiously, then lose rounds. Ali's pace gets Lewis (and Wlad) stopped over 15.

Lewis SD12, Ali TKO 14

Ali doesn't brawl, and is far too mobile and quick and takes a UD.

Ali UD15, 12

Moore was somewhat chinny, Ali was an underrated puncher. Similar to Holyfield actually.

He'd be quick enough to land on Moorer with the right whenever he felt like, although being a southpaw I can see Moorer giving Ali some problems early on. Before Ali adjusted.

Haye gets embarrassed. Taken to school. He doesn't even hit hard enough to have a chance. Certainly not as hard as Shavers, Liston or Foreman.
In fact I think there's a genuine argument Ali hit harder than Haye.

Ali UD15, 12.

Wilder gets schooled and stopped, too much speed.

Ali TKO9

Fury wouldn't land enough to beat Ali, he'd lose rounds based on being several moves behind and too slow to catch up with Ali, Ali was more aggressive against taller fighters, he wouldn't have anything to fear coming back at him here either. It would look like the Terrel fight but more competitive and Fury takes less damage.

Ali UD15, 12

Joshua gets stopped, no chance to catch Ali consistently and imo doesn't have the power to KO him. He would not stand up to the pace of a prime Ali and would get stopped because of it.

Ali TKO6

Usyk gives Ali issues, based on him having better footwork and being a southpaw, Ali would win but it would be a very hard fought win.
Usyk would win the early rounds imo where he would be landing more jabs but not leading, Ali would finally adjust and prove That speed kills and would win a UD.

Ali UD15, 12.

Ruiz is pretty easy work for Ali imo, he'd toy with him. Bad match up.
Ali would be too quick for fat boy to catch and would land his straight right on him no problem and his jab would cut his face up badly. Ruiz has a very good chin and would last the distance.

Ali UD15, 12

Spinks is somewhat competitive for a round or 2, but is completely neutralised by 5, and stopped by 8. Too small and slow imo.

Ali TKO8.

Ortiz sparred Ali in his twilight years, rumoured to have been competitive.

Ali UD15, 12.
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Excellent speculations, seems plausible.
But Ortiz would have to be pushing 60 to have sparred Ali when he was still fighting.

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How would Muhammad Ali do against the heavyweights in the past 35 years

Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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How would Muhammad Ali do against the heavyweights in the past 35 years

Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member