Round Robin between the three title winning Alis ?

Inspired by the old Foreman v young Foreman thread -



Cassius Clay 1964
Muhammad Ali 1974
Muhammad Ali 1978


The three title winning versions. How would each fight pan out in a Round Robin ?

 

Muhammad Ali of 1974 would come out on top. The 1964 version was still pretty green and had a susceptible chin whereas the 1974 one was very experienced and could detect punches well, block well, and had a great chin. The 1978 version is beyond shot so he wouldn't win for sure.

 

It would definitley be a tight one between Clay and the '74 Ali.

 

The 66-67 version was the best Clay would ever get. He beats all other versions.

 

It comes down to the age old question of youth and overwhelming talent of the '64 version versus the diminished physical gifts but wiser, trickier, 74 version. (Who still had amazing physical talent himself, if not as blinding as the 64 version.)

 

.....and if he hadn't gone to prison, the Clay of 68-69 would've probably went down in history as one of those select few who were as close to unbeatable as a fighter can get. The Perfect Heavyweight.

 

You're thinking about Tyson. Clay/ Ali, as far as I know, never went to prison.

But I'll pick 1964 Clay to beat both the Ali who beat Foreman and the Ali who beat Spinks.

 

Ali '74 beats Cassius Clay by narrow points verdict.
Clay stops '78 Ali by the fifth.
Ali '74 calls referee to stop fight against '78 version around the seventh or eighth.

 

Ali did,in fact,go to prison. For a couple of days on a very suspect traffic violation,I think.

 

The third champion Ali would defeat the other two easily. The experience level is simply too much for the initial two to overcome. Plus, he was notably taller. According to some sources.

 

Stevie G,

I wonder how many of your 10,000 posts are about Muhammad Ali ?

 

A good few of them no doubt. I've done loads on others,though. I only did this one because I was inspired by the Foreman v Foreman thread.

 

:good That's why I did n't include that incarnation in this thread

 

My bad. I was referring to the roughly 3 years that Clay missed because of his refusal to serve in the military. He was threatened with prison, but never actually served time. He did end up missing his prime years because of it though, and that's what i meant.