If Frazier Had Re- matched Ali in Jan1972?

I say yes. It would have been quite similar to their real rematch of 1974 but 15 instead of 12 rounds.


No matter when these two would have had their second fight,Ali would have won simply because the FOTC,although draining for both combatants,took more out of Joe than it did Muhammad. Frazier was never quite the same after '71 whereas Ali learned to utilise his remaining gifts better than he did shortly after coming back in 1970.

 

I agree. Joe was not the same after FOTC, Futch had voiced his concern and Durham wanted him to retire.

 

I agree, Ali would've won by decision this time. Ali in 1972 was the best post-exile version of Ali.

I had 1st fight 8-6-1 for Frazier, but he took most late rounds. In 72 Ali would do better overall and especially in the late rounds.

 

I see the window of 1972-74 as Ali's best post-exile phase. When he was in top shape of course.

 

If Frazier gets a legit referee in the rematch, then it's 50/50.

 

Goodpoint re 74 fight!

 

Ali would adopt another tactic. He was simply a LITTLE bit too good for Joe post 1971.

 

I think it would have been similar to the 2nd Spinks fight. Ali would have learnt what to do and not to do the next time around. Ali by UD.

 

Some say Muhammad would have beaten Joe first time around if he'd had one or two more tune up bouts. This is a feasible point but I disagree. It may have been a little closer on the cards (not that it was n't already close) but,imo,Ali had to lose to Frazier first in order to beat him. Muhammad was known for a little bit of overconfidence and knowing what was out there prepared him for their second bout.

 

I think Ali was better prepared to rematch Frazier on that date than Joe was because like you say whilst Joe was idle Ali had been getting in good rounds versus Ellis, Mathis and Blin so he would be much too sharp. Frazier would be too rusty for that kind of fight.

Frazier never would step into the ring with Ali without a decent tune up. He actually fought Bugner prior to their actual rematch and that kind of fight (pre Foreman) would have given Frazier better prep in 1971 or 72 for an Ali fight. He proberbly only took Stander before Foreman because he didn't think Foreman was that good.

I think had Frazier fought say, Bugner on 1971 date rather than Daniels he would have been better than he was in the Stander fight. Those soft fights were no prep for either Foreman nor Ali.

At the end of the day Ali thoroughly deserved a shot at Frazier ahead of Foreman. Joe must have only took George as a tune up for an Ali rematch.

Compared to ex champion Ali, Foremans 1972 resume before Frazier was horrible.

 

Ali wins via decision. Joe was never quite the same after beating Ali in fight one.

 

If you watch round two Ali certainly wobbled Frazier but it's a stretch of huge and monumental proportions to say he stops Joe in that round. Joe was wobbled but not hurt too badly. He was still making Ali miss up until the ref signaled the end of the round.

 

What changed everything in fight one was the huge round eleven for Joe. Ali was the closest he ever was to being stopped in that round.

Interestingly fast forward to fight three, round eleven (that same far right corner) and once again Ali is seriously hurt by a practically unnoticed left hook. (Announcer at ringside does not mention the blow). However this time Ali opened up to make a solid Frazier round 50/50.