Muhammad Ali's 1970s best.

Yes you're absolutely right.

For me, Ali looked a bit better in 72-74 than in his fights in 70-71.

He looked very good vs Frazier but gassed after 10th and lost most of late rounds.
Against Quarry 1 and Bonavena Ali looked rusty.

Ali also had some problems vs Ellis in the 1st half of the fight.

 

I personally think that Zaire Ali may well have been the greatest h2h.

 

Mad as it sounds I think Ali put up a great performance against bugner in there first fight. Bugner very underrated but ali made him look ordinary. If bugner was that way out he could give u a very hard time.

 

Yes you're fight Fergy.

Scoring was like 3,3 and 5 points margin for Ali, but for me Ali won 9-3, hurt Bugner in one of the rounds and looked very good.

Quite interesting that that match was one of the rare fights where Ali has fought as an aggressor from the start.

 

Very aggressive for ali, and if bugner hadn't been a decent heavy with a good chin that Ali could have stopped him.

 

He was aggressive but I thought he looked really awkward doing it, it really didn't suit him imo. Bugner could be negative so I guess it was left to Ali to make a fight of it. I remember Bugner catching Ali with some stinging left jabs as we ll at times. A more aggressive Bugner could've been a real force imo

 

Definitely 1972 for me. He'd gotten his stamina back & his timing. I do love the first Quarry fight though. He looks pretty sharp to have not fought in so long.

The 2nd Quarry fight, the 2nd Chuvalo fight, & the Bugner fight represent a solid version of Ali. I'd never seen the Bugner fight until a few years ago & it's impressive to see Ali in great shape & being aggressive. He also looks great in the Frazier rematch.

Everything after Zaire is Ali doing an impression of himself to me.

 

The first JQuarry fight is hard to judge. Ali was fading in the fight when Quarry was badly cut. Massive 'political' fight for its day. People either loved Ali, or extremely disliked him. Quarry was the perfect, smaller "white hope" comeback opponent who may have been intimidated by the "event".

 

Very optimistic of Ali to move like he did after being away so long. He said himself he was way too tired after only three rounds. If not for the cut he may have been in for a long night.

Against Bonavena he was more cautious and stayed flat footed.

 

I agree with most here. 1972-1974 was his best period in the 70's, I'd say. Quarry II was the one he looked the most untouchable in, but perhaps Jerry was a bit off after seeing his brother nearly decapitated by Foster's hook.

Also agree the first Bugner fight is an underrated performance. Ali looked surprisingly good being the aggressor.

 

Ali himself rated his third bout with Frazier as his best performance. He actually rested his performance vs Foreman lower than several of his 70's bouts. Ali was very sharp vs Frazier in fight three understanding he was fighting a determined and conditioned top contender. MOST other hwts would have wilted and been stopped by Frazier that night as he surged into round 11. Ali sucked it up and surged himself and Joe could not respond.

 

Quarry 2. Ali was fighting on a regular basis and had the feel of the ring back totally. He was determined to win the title back.

 

Zaire. Nothing compares.