Prime Muhammad Ali, 1964-1967, had good footwork, catlike reflexes, very speedy combinations, and amazing stamina, there was no Rope A Dope, that would come after he returned from his ban from boxing for his conviction of Draft Evasion in June 1967. He also had the gift for gab, which he incorporated his psychological warfare at his opponents, causing anger and frustration. He was unlike any fighter seen at that time, finely conditioned at 212 lbs. Trevor Berbick, a good champion in his own right, was stopped by Iron Mike Tyson,in 2 rounds, on Nov 22 1986, in Las Vegas, Nevada, losing his WBC World Heavyweight Title. Prime Ali never lost his title to any opponent, he lost it when he was stripped of his title and license for his refusal to submit to the U. S. Military Draft. Trevor Berbick did defeat a very past his prime Ali, in Dec 1981 by a decision, but Muhammad Ali was lacking in his above listed skills and it was apparent that the Parkinson's Syndrome was already causing his neurological system to show the effects. Prime Ali would have danced non stop for 15 rounds as he had when winning the World Heavyweight Title from Sonny Liston, on Feb 25 1964, in Miami Beach, Florida, stopping Sonny, in round 7. Berbick in this fight would be the aggressor trying to catch an adversary that would not stand still, and would be connecting with his punches at a very rapid rate. Berbick would at times display his frustration after swinging at air, by hitting his gloves together, while Ali taunted him with constant chatter, as he did to Floyd Patterson, in Nov 1965, before stopping Floyd in round 12. Berbick's weight and size would not be a factor, as he would be soundly befuddled by Ali's speed. Ali wins this encounter by unanimous decision as he was not a power puncher as see against Cleveland Big Cat Williams, on Nov 14 1966, he stopped Williams by TKO 3. Ali also had a better trainer in Angelo Dundee.
I think so, he had a steady diet ofListon, Patterson, Chuvalo, Cooper, London, Mildenberger, Williams, Terrell, and Folley, title defenses. Berbick would have made it interesting.
if i would have wrote it too much evident then would not be funny lol i wanted 2 or 3 people starting mad
Good description, except you wrote that Ali would dance for 15 rounds like he did against Liston-then you corrected yourselfn at the end of the sentence. Although it would be more accurate to also describe Ali as totally gone when he fought Bebick.
I'd be alarmed if ANYone here needs convincing on this point. Watch Ali against Zora Folley, Cleveland Williams. That's about right.
