In a bout between the Emmanuel Steward-trained Lennox Lewis and the 70s Ali who wins?

Lewis UD12

60s Ali? Lewis SD12

 

Ali’s is my favourite (a shocker, I’m sure), so I like to think he’d figure Lewis out.

But Lewis has all the tools to give him absolute fits, especially the 70s version.

 

I'm aware.

Ali (especially 70s) had a weakness to a left and in the 70s seemed happy to clinch. Lewis would jab and grab his way to a UD in the 70s, his power would have Ali fighting less aggressive, but not stopping him

 

The best Ali from the 70’s outboxes and outspends Lewis for the win. He would not be able to keep up with Ali. Late stoppage or U decision 10-5!in rounds.

 

My head says Lewis has the tools to beat him but..... Ali always found a way. That's why he was the Greatest!

 

Muhammad Ali of the 1970's lacked footwork reflex speed stamina, and timing, that he had in his first title reign, 1964-1967. The thing that he did retain was speed, but he did hit harder. Stamina became an issue, as he laid on the ropes more. Also conditioning, in his glory years he weighed in usually 212 lbs, looking fit. when he came back, he looked flabby, usually 221-225 lbs, it did make him look lethargic. Ali is another of my favorites, but Lewis could score an upset here as Ali did not have any of the attributes of the 1960's anymore, like when Ken Norton broke his jaw on March 31 1973.

 

Your knowledge of Ali from the 70’s is very poor. There were times he came into bouts not in condition such as Young but he did not come into the ring usually 221-225.

As just a few examples here were some of his weights:

Frazier 1. 215
Frazier 2. 212
Norton 2. 212
Quarry 1. 213
Quarry 2. 216

Many others.

The best Ali from the 70’s was perfectly able to outbox Lewis over 12 or 15 rounds. Actually it would not be a close fight. Lewis would be outclassed.

 

Frazier 1. 215
Frazier 2. 212
Norton 2. 212
Quarry 1. 213
Quarry 2. 216
Bonavena. 212
Chuvalo 2. 217.5
Lewis. 217.5
Patterson 218
Bugner 217
Foreman 216.5

 

Close to prime Ali would out work Lewis, Lewis 's feet and hands are to slow, Lewis did have a nice jab when he used it but he didn't have a big left hook (Ali's kryptonite for whatever reason). Lewis had a powerful right hand, possibly one of the hardest in boxing history. But Ali really didn't start getting hit with strong right hands solidly until much later in his career, he usually rode it, or slipped it. Ali would take Lewis into deep water and drown him. UD if the fight is 12rds, late stoppage if the fight is 15. Even past prime but if in shape Ali would still defeat any version of Lewis prior to 1975.

 

L

Lewis KO 1978 Ali

 

True, and a good analysis, but look at his fights later in the decade, such as the second Norton fight, on Sept 10 1973, it was controversial, according to the press, Ali had to win the last round, to claim victory. In the first Ken Norton fight, he was 221 lbs. The Jimmy Young fight on April 30 1976 fight, in Landover, Maryland, many believed Young had won, Ali, slow and had too much weight. The 3rd Ken Norton fight on Sept 28 1976, it too was very controversial, Muhammad appeared to be uncertain of the win, while awaiting the decision, and did not looked too happy afterward. In those fights he showed he was lacking the arsenal of the 1960's title reign. From 1964-1967, there was no controversy in his title defenses, he would have been too fast against the likes of Ken Norton and Jimmy Young. I saw his fights on Tv, in the 1970's as well, but he always appeared on the edge of losing.

 

Lewis was far too big