Muhammad Ali in 1966

Most heavyweight champs---in fact, just about any--could have won those fights in one year also.

 

Williams was old, sick, had bullet near spine taken out years earlier, and could barley move. He had almost died after being shot years earlier, and was a fighter just by reputation. In 1950's he was good (not great) and even then a bit slow.

You don't know about Clevland Williams, do you? 'Greatest performance" by a pugilist of all time" atsch Williams had been sot a few years earlier, had bullet near spine removed, almost died, weight went down to 145 pounds in hospital. He came back to make some money, could barley move. He was good, not great fighter in 1950's, and even then was slow of foot and lacked hand speed.

 

ClayII is putting this as one of the top ten greatness years EVER for a boxer, when Armstrong and Ross were doing this year in and year out.

Robinson fought for 20 years about. I suppose about ten of thsos years were better than Ali's 66 imo.

 

Few heavyweight champs have ever defended the title five years in a year. This is what Clay was stressing. I'll take Ali's active, wonderful year of '66 any day over present-day, alphabet "champions"' idly sitting on their titles with perhaps a defense a year.

 

"five times in a year"

 

"Greatest performance" is right on, because Ali normally chose to carry his opponents somewhat. But he didn't carry the Big Cat. He showed an awesome array of offensive and defensive resources over the three rounds, and looked fantastic in doing so.

 

Louis holds the record for defended the title 7 times in one year.

 

So five ain't too bad.

 

because sanctioneds fights as with back than, as is today are weak. I still wondering how Ali was allow to fight on after Holmes.

 

Because the 60's were a pretty weak era outside of Ali and a old Patterson.

 

A good champ would have ko'd him in 3 or less.

 

...but, but if he went to England or Germany by train...

he'd have drowned !