Very very difficult to get the decision nod over Muhammad back then. And only way Machen gets a stoppage would be a horrible cut. Even then, the ref would have like 4 timeouts having the ring doctor check the cut.
I actually think it would be an easy-ish night for some FEW fighters Wlad would be a nightmare proposition for Muhammad for instance.
I don’t know probably Machen? he was pretty worn out by then - Machen could box a bit and had a good chin.
It’s just what can Muhammad Ali do? How does he fight him? all his tricks were to pot shot reaching fighters much smaller fighters who he tied up and jabbed silly, busting them up on the way in. when Muhammad stopped skipping around he had a good counter punching game but it wouldn’t suit him with Wlady. When equally matched Ali was never the smaller guy he had pop but Wlad isn’t made of paper Ali would hover on the outside all night the Doctor would win the battle of jabs the same fundamental way Norton did but less exciting or aggressive. Ali would probe and avoid things but never mount an offence. Wlad wouldn’t need many left hooks to gain Ali’s respect and hesitation to stop him trying what he did with Jimmy Young, he’d lock him up inside, lean on him or catch him with a hook coming in. Wlad didn’t need to reach Ali leaning back he’d just wait it out uncontested and not offer much to counter.
I think insinuating that Ali had better times fighting smaller fighters is quite silly when he has a clear liking for beating on bigger men. Doug Jones, Karl Mildenberger, Joe Frazier, Jimmy Young, every man who gave Ali any serious trouble came up through his guard to pressure him, and it usually was easier when they were smaller. Even the huge Ken Norton fought out of a crouch, and chose to jab upward and wail on his body, as it was advantageous. You see it with him, Lyle, next to anybody who had any success Ali came from working to the body and upwards, even if Ali wasn't going all out. Wlad is a tough matchup, but not an impossible one. Ali will simply have to take the fight to the doctor, and I think that Mr. Klitschko won't enjoy himself becoming the patient in this one. In all honesty, I think that his older brother Vitali might be a harder fight for Ali what with his great durability and awkward style coming out of a kickboxing stance rather than a boxing one.
I said he was never equally matched he was never the smaller man this is such a case they share a tier of fighter. All I’ve said stands - you didn’t see anyone succeed who had Wlads style because they weren’t around. Norton, Jones, Mildenberger are not great fighters - solid no doubt. Wlad would exploit all the same flaws a few guys found - his left hook vulnerability, his lean back style and inability to fight leading. If Ali fought coming forward it would be not in his interest but just about all he could do, Wlad would stop him.
