Muhammad Ali 1973/74

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Stevie G, Nov 17, 2009.


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  1. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Before his enforced layoff,Ali was arguably the greatest heavyweight who ever lived. As I've opined before,the nearest he ever got back to that best was the Norton 2 through to Foreman fights. How would this 1973/74 version do against all the other great heavies in their prime ? I would make him favourite against most of them. Imo,he would be the slight underdog against a 1971 Frazier and the Joe Louis who beat Max Schmelling,and his 1966/67 self,of course :lol: His hardest fought victories would be against Larry Holmes and Lennox Lewis. Views ?
     
    Stevie G, Nov 17, 2009
    Stevie G, Nov 17, 2009
    #1
  2. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Almost forgot ! Jersey Joe Walcott would be tricky,but this version of Ali would win that one too.
     
    Stevie G, Nov 17, 2009
    Stevie G, Nov 17, 2009
    #2
  3. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    I thought Norton edged their second fight, so he's on the list.
     
    Unforgiven, Nov 17, 2009
    Unforgiven, Nov 17, 2009
    #3
  4. clark

    clark Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Remember that styles play a large part in how Ali would do
    against anyone, but I believe Ali could have beat anyone
    if serious and fully ready.
     
    clark, Nov 17, 2009
    clark, Nov 17, 2009
    #4
  5. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Good point. I think Ali shaded that one,but it was very close,so Ken deserves to be on the list,definitely.
     
    Stevie G, Nov 18, 2009
    Stevie G, Nov 18, 2009
    #5
  6. junior-soprano

    junior-soprano Active Member Full Member

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    in 74 ali was still great but lost a fair amount of speed.
    i think a 74 ali vs a say 1960/1961 liston would spell trouble for ali.
    i am not saying liston takes it. i think this would be a very close fight and i think the outcome could go both ways
     
    junior-soprano, Nov 18, 2009
    junior-soprano, Nov 18, 2009
    #6
  7. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think Ali takes this one. Probably goes fifteen though.
     
    Stevie G, Nov 19, 2009
    Stevie G, Nov 19, 2009
    #7
  8. clark

    clark Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I believe the Ali of the Foreman fight stops any version of Liston.
     
    clark, Nov 19, 2009
    clark, Nov 19, 2009
    #8
  9. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The only versions of Ali,imo,that Liston would beat are the post Manilla '75 ones,and the pre 1963 aspect of Cassius Clay.
     
    Stevie G, Nov 20, 2009
    Stevie G, Nov 20, 2009
    #9
  10. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Your post seems quite accurate, that version of Ali was still great enough to live with any HWT who ever laced em up.

    Id pick the 64-67 version over anyone tho, a phenom of a man he was.
     
    Bill Butcher, Nov 20, 2009
    Bill Butcher, Nov 20, 2009
    #10
  11. Addie

    Addie Myung Woo Yuh! Full Member

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    I know your a firm believer than 67 Ali was extraordinary in every way...I agree with you. Nobody is more impressive on film for me.
     
    Addie, Nov 20, 2009
    Addie, Nov 20, 2009
    #11
  12. Bill Butcher

    Bill Butcher Erik`El Terrible`Morales Full Member

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    Me either tho I can see in the available footage of Robinson why he is usually no1... he`s the only man Id place over Ali in a p4p sense, most on classic think that no2 is far too high for Ali but some idiots dont even have him in their top 10, thats unacceptable IMO.

    The things Ali could do for a man of 6`3 & 210 lbs is exactly what p4p is all about, he defied human logic physically & had a shrewed boxing brain too, he did everything in his career, the man deserves his status (not his `classic ESB` status but his worldwide status) IMHO.

    Ali is supreme..... just check out that freak show below on my signature v Brian London & keep in mind this mans size... he lands about 11 punches in about 3 seconds & this flurry is actually the finisher so they obviously were not all soft shoe shiners :shock:
     
    Bill Butcher, Nov 20, 2009
    Bill Butcher, Nov 20, 2009
    #12
  13. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Good post Bill. I agree with all of it. The only reason London did n't go down even earlier than he did,was that the speed of Ali's punches was holding him up !
     
    Stevie G, Nov 21, 2009
    Stevie G, Nov 21, 2009
    #13
  14. ThinBlack

    ThinBlack Boxing Addict banned

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    Beats them all, except maybe Larry Holmes of 1981-1982, and that's pick 'em.
     
    ThinBlack, Jan 14, 2013
    ThinBlack, Jan 14, 2013
    #14
  15. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    I've always favoured the Ali who stepped in the ring with Foreman over any other version.

    Most people say the '67 version but for me the '74 Ali was more durable, savvy and sat down on his punches a lot more.

    I know this may upset a few folk but i see this version catching a Joe Louis with that lead right hand all night long and tbh i don't see that fight going past 8 rounds if Ali was so inclined.
     
    BlackCloud, Jan 14, 2013
    BlackCloud, Jan 14, 2013
    #15
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