Rank these fighters from most to least likely to beat prime Ali

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Melankomas, Apr 2, 2025.


  1. Melankomas

    Melankomas Corbett beats your favourite fighter

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    Inspired by the thread where Ali said Ez would be a difficult fight for him. How bout we include a few others onto the list;

    Ezzard Charles
    Gene Tunney
    Jack Sharkey
    Max Schmeling
    Jack Dempsey
     
    Melankomas, Apr 2, 2025
    Melankomas, Apr 2, 2025
    #1
  2. SixesAndSevens

    SixesAndSevens Gator Wrestler Extraordinaire Full Member

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    Max Schmeling
    Ezzard Charles
    Gene Tunney
    Jack Dempsey
    Jack Sharkey

    Rated first to fifth most likely, in that order.
     
    SixesAndSevens, Apr 2, 2025
    SixesAndSevens, Apr 2, 2025
    #2
  3. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Jack Dempsey
    Ezzard Charles
    Max Schmeling
    Gene Tunney
    Jack Sharkey
     
    Seamus, Apr 2, 2025
    Seamus, Apr 2, 2025
    #3
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  4. swagdelfadeel

    swagdelfadeel Obsessed with Boxing

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    My list exactly. Though I’d switch Tunney and Sharkey.
     
    swagdelfadeel, Apr 2, 2025
    swagdelfadeel, Apr 2, 2025
    #4
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  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Agreed. Dempsey’s fast hands, relentless pressure and lethal left hook makes him the most likely candidate
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 2, 2025
    mr. magoo, Apr 2, 2025
    #5
    bolo specialist and swagdelfadeel like this.
  6. Shay Sonya

    Shay Sonya The REAL Wonder Woman! Full Member

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    1. Jack Dempsey
    2. Max Schmeling
    3. Jack Sharkey
    4. Ezzard Charles
    5. Gene Tunney
     
    Shay Sonya, Apr 2, 2025
    Shay Sonya, Apr 2, 2025
    #6
  7. Ike

    Ike Active Member Full Member

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    Gene Tunney
    Jack Dempsey
    Ezzard Charles
    Max Schmeling
    Jack Sharkey

    I think that Tunney's exceptional footwork and his quick punches could have created several problems for the prime Ali, who thanks to his footwork and speed I see as the most favored against the other four fighters.
     
    Ike, Apr 3, 2025
    Ike, Apr 3, 2025
    #7
  8. TipNom

    TipNom Well-Known Member Full Member

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    1. Charles
    2. Dempsey
    3. Schmeling
    4. Tunney
    5. Sharkey
     
    TipNom, Apr 3, 2025
    TipNom, Apr 3, 2025
    #8
  9. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    1. Jack Sharkey

    2. Jack Dempsey
    3. Ezzard Charles
    4. Gene Tunney
     
    ETM, Apr 3, 2025
    ETM, Apr 3, 2025
    #9
  10. Pedro_El_Chef

    Pedro_El_Chef Active Member Full Member

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    Schmeling
    Tunney
    Dempsey
    Charles
    Sharkey
     
    Pedro_El_Chef, Apr 3, 2025
    Pedro_El_Chef, Apr 3, 2025
    #10
  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    You forgot Scott Ledoux
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Apr 3, 2025
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Apr 3, 2025
    #11
  12. dmt

    dmt Hardest hitting hw ever Full Member

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    I think Tunney's slick style might make it a bit more likely for him to upset Ali than Schmeling's counter punching style but otherwise i agree:

    1. Dempsey
    2. Charles
    3. Tunney
    4. Schmeling
    5. Sharkey
     
    dmt, Apr 3, 2025
    dmt, Apr 3, 2025
    #12
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  13. bolo specialist

    bolo specialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    IMO,
    1. Dempsey
    2. Tunney
    3. Charles
    4. Sharkey
    5. Schmeling

    Though the only 1 I would give a serious chance of beating Ali would be Dempsey, given Ali's troubles w/ a smaller, lighter powerpuncher w/ quick hands in Doug Jones.
     
    bolo specialist, Apr 3, 2025
    bolo specialist, Apr 3, 2025
    #13
  14. bolo specialist

    bolo specialist Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I agree, I see Schmeling as 1 of the least likely to upset Ali.
     
    bolo specialist, Apr 3, 2025
    bolo specialist, Apr 3, 2025
    #14
    dmt likes this.
  15. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I agree with this list,,,
     
    Reinhardt, Apr 3, 2025
    Reinhardt, Apr 3, 2025
    #15
    dmt likes this.