Legendary Prime vs Prime (Heavyweight)

yeah well Patterson was old and certainly not prime because he had been through those beatings with Johannson
Liston wasn't prime, no. He could just club Patterson around because he was much stronger and Patterson didn't have a good chin. Plus if you look at that compared to his earlier fights he's clearly not as fast and his reflexes are a little off. Still a good performance though

Liston was way past it vs Ali, he was probably in his mid 30s, and was not in shape. He trained for a short fight so therefore he couldn't go the distance without gasing.

 

delete

 

I think Holyfield-Bowe I is as good a shout as any - two great heavyweights - both IMO in their finest hours

I wouldn't say Foreman-Frazier I as I don't think Frazier was in his prime in that one (last time he was is FOTC) and he also fought probably the worst fight you could ever fight against Foreman.

Frazier-Ali I also doesn't really count for me because Ali wasn't at his peak

Marciano-Moore - not really - definately Moore's finest hour as a heavy - but Marciano's swansong - not really his absolute best

I think Walcott-Marciano I is up there with Bowe Holy I - both mens best ever fight overall in my opinion.

 

Moore's best run was 1949-1956. He was most active as a Heavyweight but also captured the Light Heavyweight title in the middle of this run.

During this time he picked up the bulk of his most significant wins in both weight classes:

Olson, Joey Maxim, Satterfield, Nino Valdez, Clarence Henry, Jimmy Bivins, Oakland Billy Smith, and Bob Baker. Also, the great Harold Johnson, who was a leading contender for the LHW and HW titles at this time.

 

The next time I see Patterson being accused of having a bad chin I'm going to cry

And Patterson certainly wasn't "old" against Liston. If anything it's the opposite.

 

A "faded" Ali that was able to beat Joe Frazier and George Foreman

 

I agree, Patterson was prone to knockdowns...mostly because of his style. However, he was only KOed by all time great hitters. Liston and Ingo could take anybody down.

 

Jeffries-Sharkey II, though Jeffries was still developing as a fighter, and hard left-arm trouble.

Corbett-Jackson ... Jackson maybe a bit passed best, and had an ankle issue, but he still had enough left in him go on to beat Frank Slavin.

How about the Langford-McVea series in Australia? Or the Jeanette-McVea bouts?


Holyfield-Bowe I?

 

The first and only time when Norton beat Ali, Ali underestimated Norton, and showed up out of shape. Ali still made the fight pretty close.
And lets not forget that Ali beat norton TWICE.

 

Ali should be 1-2 against Norton. In no way should he of gotten the nod in the rubber match.

 

Been there, done that.

 

Good man. It's funny that one of the biggest Ali fans on here is actually one of the few who doesn't prop up the "OMFG FOTC ALI WAS WASHED UP!!!111" agenda.

 

...in your opinion.
it was close, but i gave it to ali.

he certainly doesn't have a good chin man