Was anyone in heavyweight history capable of knocking out or stopping Muhammad Ali?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Boxing125, Dec 1, 2015.


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  1. Boxing125

    Boxing125 Active Member Full Member

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    Yes I know Larry Holmes did it in 1980 against a washed up Ali who was drugged and in no condition to fight but im talking about Ali from 1967-77

    He was only dropped once during this time with the best left hook of Joe Frazier's career in the FOTC in the 15th round and Ali got up before the ref had counted to 4. I will disregard the Chuck Wepner body punch that counted as a knockdown as Ali was proved to be off balance and was unhurt.

    My point is that Ali fought Frazier 3 times, George Foreman, Earnie Shavers, Ken Norton 3 times, Floyd Patterson, Jerry Quarray twice, Oscar Bonevena, Ron Lyle and other good punches and was only ever dropped once! There is no evidence for me to think that a Joe Louis, Marciano or Tyson would stop Ali with the resume he had.
     
    Boxing125, Dec 1, 2015
    Boxing125, Dec 1, 2015
    #1
  2. Pugilist_Spec

    Pugilist_Spec Hands Of Stone Full Member

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    No.
     
    Pugilist_Spec, Dec 1, 2015
    Pugilist_Spec, Dec 1, 2015
    #2
  3. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    Yes. Henry Cooper almost did it. Ali faced some punches in his time, but none of them were his size and had top end hand speed.

    Had the 1st Norton fight been 15th rounds, I think Norton has a good chance to get the TKO.
     
    Mendoza, Dec 1, 2015
    Mendoza, Dec 1, 2015
    #3
  4. Sanxion

    Sanxion New Member Full Member

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    Sonny Banks knocked a young Cassius Clay down too...but for anybody to stop a physically fit Ali or knock him out, I am not sure Ali's pride or intestinal fortitude would allow it; for him to return standing so quickly after 14 1/2 gruelling rounds and being sent to the canvas by a murderous left hook is proof in itself.
     
    Sanxion, Dec 1, 2015
    Sanxion, Dec 1, 2015
    #4
  5. lufcrazy

    lufcrazy requiescat in pace Full Member

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    No.

    Or Hopkins or Toney.

    Those 3 can't be knocked out.
     
    lufcrazy, Dec 1, 2015
    lufcrazy, Dec 1, 2015
    #5
  6. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Anyone can be knocked out.
     
    Berlenbach, Dec 1, 2015
    Berlenbach, Dec 1, 2015
    #6
  7. Vanboxingfan

    Vanboxingfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    That's the answer. I could envision, Lewis, maybe Wlad, maybe Tyson, and Foreman under different circumstances (those loose ropes played a significant outcome in that fight), possibly doing it. I'd probably give Lewis the best chance (reach, power, aggressiveness) , followed by Tyson (speed, power) .
     
    Vanboxingfan, Dec 1, 2015
    Vanboxingfan, Dec 1, 2015
    #7
  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Anybody can be stopped theoretically.

    There are just a small number of fighters, where the combination of circumstances required, are unlikely to happen.
     
    janitor, Dec 1, 2015
    janitor, Dec 1, 2015
    #8
  9. N_ N___

    N_ N___ Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tyson could. He'd just need to land a huge left hook (which Ali was vulnerable to) and then follow up ruthlessly. It's completely plausible.
     
    N_ N___, Dec 1, 2015
    N_ N___, Dec 1, 2015
    #9
  10. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Tyson.
     
    mrkoolkevin, Dec 1, 2015
    mrkoolkevin, Dec 1, 2015
    #10
  11. Perry

    Perry Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    We are talking Ali at his best? I cannot envision prime Ali being stopped. Too fast, too tough. I watched Ali for 10 years from 1970 to the time he lost to Berbick and one ko puncher after another tried to stop Ali. All failed.
     
    Perry, Dec 1, 2015
    Perry, Dec 1, 2015
    #11
  12. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    This....every so often this forum gets silly and posters say juvenile stuff like "Marvin Hagler could never be knocked out", or "Ali could never be knocked out"....which is bull****. ANYBODY can be knocked out....and somewhere deep down these posters know that.
     
    red cobra, Dec 1, 2015
    red cobra, Dec 1, 2015
    #12
  13. FastHands(beeb)

    FastHands(beeb) Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Joe Louis would have had a very good chance. Ali's career proved he could be stunned, hurt or floored. I am pretty convinced that Louis had the power to do this and to succeed in a follow up attack of stopping any version of Clay/Ali.
     
    FastHands(beeb), Dec 1, 2015
    FastHands(beeb), Dec 1, 2015
    #13
  14. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    Hell, Henry Cooper was able to deck him,...so theoretically, say...Joe Louis could do it for sure....and the aforementioned Mike Tyson was very capable of it.
     
    red cobra, Dec 1, 2015
    red cobra, Dec 1, 2015
    #14
  15. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Anyone can be ko'd, having made that statement,
    Ali faced the biggest collection of heavyweight top drawer punchers in living memory.
     
    mcvey, Dec 1, 2015
    mcvey, Dec 1, 2015
    #15
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