Which would make Ali look like a dick. The public would be more inclined to side with Frazier in this world, I think.
The 70s wouldn't be remembered as a golden era to the same degree. "Frazier gone by 73. Ali a dimmed version of his former greatness. And yet somehow, Ali could still dominate those pathetic later 70s fighters? Ha! Oafs like Foreman never would've gotten close to the title if Joe had still been around!"
Ahh man. That's good. Yes, I can imagine that being said. I love Joe Frazier and totally admire him, but in this scenario he'd be built up as Dempsey, Marciano Liston and Louis all rolled in to one. And that's no disrespect to the man.
Yup. Goes through the post-Ali contenders like a wrecking ball, a la Tyson, and then beats up Ali. Retires undefeated and young. What's not to like.
Also, it would give Frazier an excuse if he still somehow got bitter enough to insult Ali's medical condition: "Did Clay act all polite and understanding when I started going blind? No! He kept trying to drag me into the ring! A blind man! I can't even drive a car safely, and this man kept calling me a coward to get me into the ring. So don't talk to me about being understanding about Clay's Parkinsons..." It would still look questionable, but he'd have somewhat more of the high ground than he did in real life.
I was actually seeing Joe Frazier saying all that, in my mind, word for word! And I wonder what a Frazier v Foreman fantasy match would look like today? Lol.
Muhammad Ali defeats no.2 challenger Jerry Quarry on June 27 1972 to win the vacant World Heavyweight Title then meets undefeated George Foreman on Jan 22 1973 in Kingston, Jamaica. Ali defends title with a TKO 9.
Frazier would have been easily in the top 5 ATG list, many listing him a bit higher. Norton would still win over Ali, then Foreman would have beaten Norton for the vacant title I think. Then Ali would have beat George.
I do not think Ali would surpass Joe Louis if he is unable to beat Frazier in a rematch. He still goes on to rule the 70's, but there would not be that kick that the Ali Frazier fights brought to that decade. Joe would go down as one of the ATGS up there with Louis, Marciano, Dempsey. He may not surpass Louis, but he be in arguement as the number 2 guy with the likes of Dempsey and Marciano. Any case Ali would be ranked below Frazier on a ATG list.
What really would’ve made Frazier’s stock rise would be if he passed away tragically after Stander instead. Look what it did to Sanchez’s rep.
Wellll...Sanchez was also a freakishly great fighter. Perhaps Randy Rhoads would have been a better example.
Frazier’s comments about Ali didn’t come anywhere close to the disrespect Ali showed Frazier. It was disgraceful.
