..............taken up American Football instead of boxing ? How would Heavyweight history have differed from what really happened ?
Ali would n't have lost again in 1973. I can't see anyone else,at the time,who could have beaten him. Ali-Frazier II could have been held in October/November 1973 with Ali winning just like he did in real time. Ali-Foreman II may have been in September 1976. Outcome could have gone either way. Foreman could have won as Muhammad was n't quite the same after Manilla. There is equal chance,however,that Muhammad could still have outboxed George.
Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali would have fought in September 1973. Joe Frazier would have defeated Muhammad Ali by a close 12-Round Decision, where Mr. Ali is penalized 3-points by a competent Referee for 'incessant holding'. Mr. Ali calls the Referee 'a racist' and dirty names. Muhammad Ali takes on Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit in December 1973, and gets knocked out in 2 Rounds. Joe Frazier then fights Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit in March 1974, and stops the 6' 5" left-hooking bomber in 4 Rounds. June 1974, Muhammad Ali fights Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit in the rematch, and wins by a TKO 10. Muhammad Ali demands a rematch with Joe Frazier, who tells him to "Join the Army". Joe Frazier gets the rematch with George Foreman in October 1974. Muhammad Ali fights Charlie Reno in October 1974 in Reno, Nevada - claiming that this is for the Peoples Championship. 700 people turn out, with gate receipts of $2350.
Georges Foreman's first career wouldn't be the same, wouldn't it ? In my opinion, his easy KO wins over Frazier and Norton define his greatness. Without it, I'm not sure his win over Frazier would really erase the doubts from the Ali, Young and Lyle fights. Larry Holmes would be rated much lower. His list of top opponents is too short to resist the substraction of Norton's name. Ali would be called the greatest more often ? Wouldn't change that much things in his case I think.
mr magoo you truly are blind! The three Norton fights are a solid plank of Ali's greatness. Without them fights, he would suffer. Nothing smells of greatness like winning a rematch against quality after losing the first fight. And although the third fight was up for debate, it proved Ali, past his pomp, was a Greek god!
George would probably have made his last succesful defence against Jerry Quarry. Quarry would have taken the title shot instead of a second fight with Joe Frazier.
These are my thoughts, except in 73 what do you think about Foreman-Ali in America? I still like Ali, but i think he'd take it by a very late stoppage or decision.
I very much beg to differ with your opinion on the Ali-Frazier rematch,Pepe. As you will recall,Carlos Padilla allowed Ali the barest minimum of holding in Manilla. Muhammad was still in front,on all judges cards,at the time Eddie Futch pulled Joe out.
