Most of the threads about these two fighting are quite naturally when they were at their very best. Ali of '67 v Louis of '38. How about these slightly faded,yet still very dangerous versions. Ali of the Foreman fight v louis of the second Billy Conn fight. Both guys at 32 years of age. It'd still be a very good fight,with Ali taking a decision over 15. ???
Thinking about it,I'm inclined to agree with you. Ali would probably end it around the twelfth or thirteenth.
Louis. Ali had lost a great deal of his mobility by 74 and was more a stationary target, getting hit more often then ever in his career. Louis on the other hand picked up where he left off just prior to his induction into the Army in 1942 losing very little physically or stylistically.
Interesting view Billy ! Not all,but most agree that Ali and Louis were the two best heavies of all time.
Louis caught up to a very fast, and tricky Jersey Joe Walcott in 1948. If he can do that, he can catch a slower less mobile Ali. No doubt a very stationary Ali of 1974 would have been right in Louis range. Louis would have knocked ali out in 1974. Louis still had his punching power and reflexes in 1946. I pick Walcott to beat the 1974 Ali too. Too much sharp countering, cagey angles, and elusive speed for Ali.
Ali '74 v Walcott would have been a masterpiece of skill and artistry from both men. I think Ali would have squeezed out a decision.
I beg to differ Joe. Louis had definitely slowed up some by 1946. Just as Ali had by 1974. I think that both these versions would have still given many prime champs hell though.
by 1946 louis still had his power but had put on 12lb or so and had lost a lot of his mobility.saying that, he didn't hang about wth tami mauriello
You mean the one of the Frazier rematch? Ali still had plenty left in 1974, and wouldn't have been caught "in the headlights" like Walcott was in his rematch with Marciano. He was smarter than Walcott when caught in a dangerous spot. He wins a hard-fought decision.
