Is it agreed that Muhammad Ali's form improved after FOTC 1971 ?

Yet in December 1968 Bonavena went 15rds without being floored?
You are the fool who says Frazier was past his prime for the FOTC.atsch

 

It seems that Ali gets all the excuses in the book for his loss to Frazier.

 

Yes, he was a bit past his actual prime for the FOTC. His ongoing medical issues plus the April, 1970 ankle injury were factors.

He indeed gave a tremendous effort that night, but he would have been even more devastating (given the same great effort) with the 1969 form.

But I seriously doubt you are perceptive enough to understand what I'm saying.

 

True.

He was ready.

 

I don't see how anyone can say the Frazier of 1971 was not the best Frazier. He was in against his best opponent by far, was in his prime as a fighter, undefeated and was as motivated as any man could be to beat his opponent that night. Add to this he LOOKED better than he did before or after.

 

That was indeed the very best Frazier on his very best night.

And Ali may have had more reasons than decency to regret some of his over-the-top pre-fight comments.

That was also the most motivated Joe.

 

Oh I understand it completely, I just refute it as being absolute bollocks

 

I don't think Ali was over the top prior to FOTC. Before the Thrilla yes.

 

No excuses necessary, on the night the better fighter won.

 

That is because you are rational and objective.

 

Excuses shold be a pass word for Frazier fans, every fight he lost has a string of them trailing along behind.

 

Seems like a lot of excuses to me.

Quite often I've heard "ring rust", "tired from the Bonavena fight", "didn't train as hard as should have", "fought the wrong strategy", "hand speed hadn't returned yet" ........

The only thing I will accept is that he was never the same after 1967. But Frazier 1 was just about as good as he ever was post-'67.

 

So ,in your opinion,18.5 rounds of actual combat are enough after nearly 4 years of inactivity to do yourself justice against the best fighter at your weight in the world?

 

I don't have any set rules or guidelines on this.
Do you ? What is it ? 22 rounds ? 33 rounds ? 48 rounds ?

I know that he'd just beat two guys who were top 10 and both had given Frazier tough fights.