Muhammad Ali vs Wilt Chamberlain

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Thor Odinson, Jun 29, 2020.


  1. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    More fitting would be wondering how long he might last against a Fenech or Sanchez.
     
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  2. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    There is no decent evidence that Liston was born before the early 30's/
     
  3. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    No he would not, especially since at 6' 5" he was already ~ 207 extremely lean lbs. & could not fight effectively at LHW.
     
  4. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Now Deceased 2/4/25 Full Member

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    They never fought but there was some talk about a potential match, just novelty.
     
  5. DrederickTatum

    DrederickTatum We really outchere. Full Member

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    :facepalm:
     
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  6. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Nope,after Ali's one word comment on the Cosell show Chamberlain pulled out.


    Timber!
     
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  7. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    If you were being sarcastic with your original comment best to actually say so.
    Rather than seem to indicate this with another cynical statement.
    Since some clearly believe things like Bolt would beat GGG, you cannot expect for your intentions to be understood.
     
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  8. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    His marriage license listed him as being born in 1928, as do some other sources.
     
  9. Entaowed

    Entaowed Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    I do not believe that is very good evidence. Here are a couple of posts from this website from years back...

    Very interesting but, as Legend rightly observes, this isn't evidence of Liston's age, it's just evidence of one of many claims Liston made about his age, which we already knew about. A couple of years later he was claiming to be 20 in applications to amateur tournaments.

    Even assuming Liston knew his own birth date, he may well have had his reasons for wanting people to believe he was 21. At the moment, for instance, if you're under 21 you can't get an Arkansas marriage licence without a passport or birth certificate. Or maybe he just wanted to be able to get a drink at a bar.

    The fact that he's not listed on the 1930 census, on the other hand, and that he's listed as a 10 year old on the 1940 census, is independent documentary evidence compiled by people who had no possible reason for dishonesty. I think any newcomer to the debate would agree that it's a far more reliable source of information.

    [url]SolomonDeedes[/url], [url]Aug 29, 2012[/url]

    Sonny was clearly not born in 1928. The 1930 census, taken in April of that year, lists his older brother as being six months old. The 1940 census also taken in April lists Liston as being 10 years old. Logically this means Liston was most likely born between July and December of 1930.

    Lord Tywin, [url]Aug 29, 2012[/url]
     
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  10. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    According to Chamberlain's teammates one day he came into practice with scratches pretty bad on his arms. They asked what happened? Wilt told them that he had been out driving across country when he needed to stop in a remote area and take a ****.
    Turns a mountain lion jumped him.
    Wilt said he killed it.
     
  11. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    They asked Kareem Abdul Jabbar what he thought of a Chamberlain/Ali match. Kareem said "I wouldn't want to see that much ego in one ring"
     
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  12. Brockton Rock

    Brockton Rock Member Full Member

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    Do you by chance have the same user name on real GM forums?
     
  13. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Similar one.
     
  14. steve21

    steve21 Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, there was speculation, and both sides have reasons why it didn't happen - fact is, there was no way Wilt had a chance. He was certainly a gifted athlete and could train all he wanted to, but at the end of the day, boxing is boxing; it is it's own animal. And unless you've spent a lifetime punching, getting punched and avoiding punches, it's (while not impossible, few things are truly impossible) unlikely someone is going to be able to acquire the skills and nuances of being a fighter if they haven't fought. As Iron Mike perfectly stated, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." Chamberlain may have sparred and trained and worked hard and become really good, and maybe had a shot of defeating a journeyman of some kind - but when he stepped into the ring with one of the most gifted fighters of all time, it would be a different story. It would take Ali a few rounds to figure out the height and reach issues, but he'd find a way - at the very least, toy with him and tire him out enough where Wilt would make a mistake, then ... TIMBERRRR!

    Just my .02 ...
     
  15. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    I agree with you though
    Cus thought he could teach him enough to handle one style of fighter. Wilts height and reach being the main focus.
    Wilt had alot of natural athletic ability but one thing he never had was quickness. He could run fast and jump high but in the ring it's all about quick ess.