Larry Holmes v Joe Frazier's opponents circa 1968-75

That's your opinion , not mine.

 

And it did when they did fight. Frazier brought the best out if Ali.

Ali was a lot better against Frazier than he was versus Bonavena, in fact, by comparison to oscar, against Frazier, Ali was very sharp from the first round. Ali threw more punches in that first round against Frazuer than in any of his 1960s fights. That's how much Frazier brought the best out if Ali.

When I said Ali wasn't dancing for dancing sake as early as the Folley fight I was not using that as an example of the beginning of a decline. rather a sensible adjustment in economy. He had become to evolve into a less gung ho performer, and this development would have subtly continued. Nothing new or flamboyant was going to emerge.

As well as this had Ali continued there would have been less oppertunties to showcase such clear, easy nonchalance as displayed versus old timers like London, Williams and Folley. The next generation of Ellis, Quarry, Thad Spencer, Frazier,Mathis, leotis Martin would have been much stiffer resistance than the old boys were to Ali.

 

Exactly. Ali was 29 versus Frazier, with excelent tune ups I dont see how he wasn't where he would have been anyway.

He wasn't going to comeback better. Or as young as he had been, just where he would have been if he had not been away.

Very close to prime.

 

To admit that Ali was less than prime for FOTC detracts from Frazier's win in the minds of his fan club.

I get that ,it's similar to saying Walcott and Charles were in their primes when Marciano beat them ,and that Louis was still 90% of the Brown Bomber.


Frazier was 29 versus Foreman.:yep

 

Frazier was 29 for Foreman, as Ali was for Frazier. If you want to say Ali was prime for The Fight Of The Century. Then you also have to say Frazier was prime for Foreman. If you are unwilling to do this, you're a hypocrite.