What if Ali and Frazier had been friendlier?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Stevie G, Jun 18, 2022.


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  1. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    This subject has been touched on in other threads -

    Suppose that Muhammad Ali had n't had cranked the publicity machine up to as intense a level as he did in the pre-fight hyperbole in his three fights with Joe Frazier. In this alternative scenario he'd keep the patter to stuff such as "This may shock and amaze ya but I promise to retire Joe Frazier" Some say that their fights would n't have been quite so brutal. I disagree. Muhammad and Joe were warriors and their fights would still have reflected that. The results of all three bouts would have been just the same.


    What do you think?
     
    Stevie G, Jun 18, 2022
    Stevie G, Jun 18, 2022
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  2. billyb71

    billyb71 Member Full Member

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    I don't know. Frazier was a tad stupid. After Ali called him an Uncle Tom, Frazier started running with a hood. He said he was afraid people would think he was peeping through windows if they recognized him.
    Frazier didn't know the difference between an Uncle Tom and a Peeping Tom.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2022
    billyb71, Jun 18, 2022
    billyb71, Jun 18, 2022
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  3. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 Mauling Mormon’s Full Member

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    Ali was an irritating guy I think he’d find a way.
     
    Journeyman92, Jun 18, 2022
    Journeyman92, Jun 18, 2022
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  4. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ah....but this scenario is about what would have happened if he had n't.
     
    Stevie G, Jun 18, 2022
    Stevie G, Jun 18, 2022
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  5. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The fights wouldn’t have been the same at all and the FOTC certainly wouldn’t have generated the same amount of money if Ali hadn’t pushed the publicity as hard as he did.

    If anything Ali riling Frazier up through the press brought out the best in Frazier, since against other opponents in the 70’s that weren’t Ali Frazier just didn’t have the same motivation.
     
    Jackomano, Jun 18, 2022
    Jackomano, Jun 18, 2022
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  6. RulesMakeItInteresting

    RulesMakeItInteresting Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Joe would have lost.
     
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Jun 18, 2022
    RulesMakeItInteresting, Jun 18, 2022
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  7. bboyrei

    bboyrei Member Full Member

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    He still wanted the distinction of being “true champion” by beating Ali even before Ali started acting like a villain and riling things up.
     
    bboyrei, Jun 18, 2022
    bboyrei, Jun 18, 2022
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  8. Levook

    Levook Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Great question, since all the pros say boxing is 90% mental, I wonder if Frazier would've fought just a hair tamer?

    My gut feeling is no, nothing would have changed. It would've still been a case of two eternal warriors, each instantly & instinctually recognizing the other, knowing the echoes of their mighty blows would reverberate throughout the halls of boxing greatness forever.
     
    Levook, Jun 18, 2022
    Levook, Jun 18, 2022
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  9. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I reckon you've hit the nail right on the head. Ali and Joe were warriors,as I said in my earlier post. No matter how much they liked/disliked each other,once they were in the ring it was all business.
     
    Stevie G, Jun 19, 2022
    Stevie G, Jun 19, 2022
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  10. Holmes77

    Holmes77 Member Full Member

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    Ali was stupid and a racist and a back stabber. So doubt he would have been friendlier with Frazier unless there was something to be gained or Muhammad the idiot told him differently……. Liston should have hurt Ali in that 2nd fight but the Muslims paid the mob off…… Ali would have been a good wrestler
     
    Holmes77, Jun 19, 2022
    Holmes77, Jun 19, 2022
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  11. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    "Get me Clay" said Frazier to Yank Durham in 1966 after scraping past Oscar Bonavena. And after unifying the belts against Jimmy Ellis,he wanted Ali as bad as Muhammad wanted HIM.
     
    Stevie G, Jun 19, 2022
    Stevie G, Jun 19, 2022
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  12. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    They'd have laughed and hugged in the FOTC. Ali would have pulled silly faces at Joe, and Frazier would shake his head, laugh at him with tears running down his cheeks and have to hold his stomach.
    Ali then starts doing silly dances and Joe starts copying him
    Mean while Angie Dundee is rolling on the floor, he s just cracking up!

    At the end of 15 crazy, madcap rounds the fight is announced a draw.

    Both men hug and grin, tickling each other, whilst Dundee has actually wet his pants!!
     
    Fergy, Jun 19, 2022
    Fergy, Jun 19, 2022
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  13. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Lol! Afterwards it's revealed that Muhammad and Joe are Morecambe and Wise in disguise. Then Sir Alec Ferguson shouts out"Boxing.....bloody hell!"
     
    Stevie G, Jun 19, 2022
    Stevie G, Jun 19, 2022
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  14. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Now that's a classic episode mate!!
     
    Fergy, Jun 19, 2022
    Fergy, Jun 19, 2022
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  15. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    The second and third fights definitely. But not the first.
     
    Stevie G, Jun 19, 2022
    Stevie G, Jun 19, 2022
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