Muhammad Ali 1968-69; what would we watch?

I would be. George proved to simply not have the reach and hand speed when they did stand in ring center (as Foreman stated years ago), nobody could then stop Ali as quickly as George would've needed to (within five rounds), and however unprepared, Muhammad would've seen everything coming. And he had mobility Frazier and Norton did not share.

Both Norton and Frazier had hand speed Foreman did not. (Many first time viewers of the FOTC are surprised at Frazier's hand speed, but Ali had seen him in action and knew him for years.) George also never had the straight punching.

 

I’m sure you’ll get more support than I will here, & I’m not saying I’d expect an over-confident Ali to lose to the relatively unknown Foreman of early 1973…just I wouldn’t be stunned. Ali wasn’t exactly Joe Louis when it came to preparation.

 

All's good, Ney.

Louis had far more regard for Blackburn and Manny Seamon than Muhammad had for Dundee (and Gil Clancy was in his corner for Sonny Banks, while SRR's George Gainford worked against Dundee with Jimmy Ellis, who Angie also managed). Dundee's major developmental contribution was to shorten Ali's hook up.

Foreman was an Olympic Gold Medalist, and he had Archie Moore in his corner, who Ali was friends with and respected immensely. (Muhammad wasn't about to test the Mongoose's power when they did square off for the GOAT's first major professional win.)

 

Foreman would've beaten the fat, lethargic, lazy Ali of the first Norton bout and he wouldn't have needed a split decision to do so.........

 

I agree that Norton would be the main threat to Ali in the early 70's. Maybe Foreman would beat the version of Ali who lost to Norton, but I think Ali would be better prepared for him.