Hindsight it may look cruel, but it has something to it. Remember that as late as 1986, there were still rumours of an Ali comeback, despite all the health issues, Ali was attached to the Witherspoon camp for the fight in London with Bomber, and there is a picture of Ali doing roadwork with Terrible Tim (I know, I was shocked Witherspoon did roadwork for that fight as well!). So what if, instead of fighting Dokes, Ali called in the favour of the WBA and got himself one final title shot? Ali was beaten by Berbick, but hardly outclassed and Trevor was legitimately a top 10 fighter of the time. Weaver could be flaky, so could the pressure of the super fight and super named opponent be too much for him? Could Hercules bottle it and let Ali sneak it?
Ali was thinking of a comeback as late as 1986? That seems far-fetched. Did I miss that piece of history?
This fight could have taken place much earlier. Ali Weaver was on the cards before the Ali Holmes fight took place and only circumstances resulted in Ali fighting Holmes and not Weaver. Ali had even picked a monicer for Weaver. "The beaver".
It would have been downright dangerous to give him a license at this point. Surely no control board anywhere in the world would have entertained the idea. Anyway, flaky as Weaver could be, Muhammad was totally shot at this point. Tough he may have been sure, but what could he have really offered offensively? If Weaver doesn't stop him, then he'd win a decision.
Ali - Spinks? :yikes I cant remember that one, but he did participate in Wrestlemania somewhere around this time.
There was speculation Ali was thinking about it. Like I said, he was part of the team that helped Witherspoon against Bruno, and with the Heavyweight tournament starting and no clear favourite (July 1986), the Dynamic Duo started the Ali spin...
Ali would of been too cute to of been seriously hurt in the fight, even if he had lost. Obviously though Ali was taking far too much punishment from the Thrilla onwards, so as such, a fight in 82, is clearly not helping his health.
If Ali had fought on at this point we would be getting into Sam Langford teritory. There would have been some verry ugly events. I wouldnt matter how cute he was because the punch would land before he saw it coming.
Do not get me wrong, I am glad the fight never happened, as no matter what health wise it would of done Ali no good. But I just think that Weaver's ability to blow simple fights, to come in cold, and to sometimes let events get the better of him, may suggest that even in 82, Ali could of got the job done.
Ali was shot and Parkinson ridden by 1980 against Holmes. Even earlier. This would be crazy. I don't believe Ali thought of coming back around 1986. His fight with Berbick in 81 was embarrassing and terrible as it was. Ali speech and Parkinson had picked up and affected his movement and slurred his speech even more by this point. Can anyone confirm or officially denounce this crazy idea?
its true...the man was still doing exhibitions with page and witherspoon and some others up to 1986..dundee had to tell him there was nothing left in the tank
Why would you make this thread? This is not an intresting fight unless you really Hate Ali. Weaver probably by decision,or maybe stoppage if he really pressed Ali