If Muhammad Ali had not been stripped of his title, in 1967, name his challengers and the results.

He'd probably have just took on the guys he did in his come back a little prematurely. Maybe gets fed the guys who entered the WBA tourney. Guys like Ellis, Quarry, Bonavena, ect. are what he'd be against either way, then possibly go on to fight Frazier 1969. He probably goes undefeated still, as I don't know if Frazier can muster a FOTC like performance that early on, but if he can? He wins.

Congrats on the thread, chief!

 

As George said, more than likely the guys he faced but earlier. Quarry and Oscar would be title defense s, hed be unbeaten then he'd face Smoke. If Ali doesn't take Joe lightly, then it's a very close point s win for him imo but Frazier would push him to the limit.

 

I don't agree with Frazier beating a prime Ali even with the FOTC performance for the following reasons:

1. Ali would never have needed to mock and ridicule Frazier as he did in 1971 and as a consequence Frazier would not have been as determined to win - or die trying as he was in the FOTC.
2. Frazier beat Ali in 1971 because of two main reasons: his extraordinary performance and because Ali's stamina and movement had diminished which then made him vulnerable to Joe's relentless attack.
3. Ali would have entered his true prime in 1969 and would have been unbeatable and supremely confident. His speed, stamina, reflexes and chin would have been in top condition.

I personally think Ali would have been unbeaten until the early 70s and only then been closely defeated because of his neglect for training as opposed to meeting a superior opponent - of which we know there was none.

 

I think Bonavena and Spencer were talked about as possible opponents after Folley. Quarry or Frazier would likely be next. Frazier probably in 1968 at the latest actually. I think Ali beats Frazier if he doesn't take him too lightly.

After those guys perhaps rematches with Floyd and Chuvalo, and then Ellis.

By that point there wouldn't been many interesting opponents left. Perhaps a rematch with Frazier in 1970. If he gets past that one as well, as I think he will, pickings will be scarce for a couple of years. Mathis, Ramos, MacFoster, Lewis... Maybe a rematch with Quarry. Could be that a fight with Foreman is made as early as 1971-72 just because there's no other interesting opponents out there. Ali might underestimate George and go through a rough patch, but in the end I just think he got his number.

Closing in on the mid 70's, Norton might be the banana skin for an ageing and probably complacent Ali. Or he retires undefeated in, say, 1973 and comes back in 75-76 after becoming restless. Sooner or later he overstays his welcome. Perhaps ends with back to back defeats against Holmes in 78.

 

I agree with this analysis.

If therefore he had retired undefeated in 1973, what would have his record been?

 

Say he has 3-4 fights a year. He had had 29 fights when he was exiled so that would make about 50 in 1973. I can see him going to 50 exactly actually. By that time he would have passed Louis's record of 25 defences as well.

Maybe fate would have it that he took on an unknown guy by the name of Ken Norton for his 50th fight...

 

Ali's manager Herbert Muhammad announced Ali defenses against Floyd Patterson on April 25, 1967 and Oscar Bonavena on May 27, 1967.

 

Ok, I hadn't heard about a rematch with Floyd before.

Perhaps fights with Spencer and Quarry would have closed out the year. Frazier should be the logical candidate after that if the defenses were successful.

 

I’d still pick Frazier to beat him, probably beats the rest though. He’d struggle against Norton still, but might have enough to beat him. He should still beat Foreman, you never know 100% but with hindsight you’d have to favour him considerably. He might have already retired by the time a Holmes fight has a chance to materialise.

There are far too many variables here though. Like people have mentioned, would Frazier have been as motivated or hungry agains Ali as he was for the FOTC. Would Ali having fresher legs make the fight that much easier for him? Would Ken Norton still be as effective against Ali when the latter was able to dance for a lot of the fight?
Would he underestimate Foreman completely and be vulnerable to getting sparked? Probably not but we really don’t know

One things for sure is he gets beaten at some point..... maybe

 

Yes, but if Ali had kept up his busy schedule it's hard to see how a fight with Frazier could have been kept on hold even if Durham and Futch wanted it so. Joe became nr 1 contender already in 1967. I can't see him going two, three years as top contender without facing a busy champion like Ali.