What Version of Ali, Could Buster Douglas Beat?

You’re expecting people to be open minded to any possibility of Ali losing to anyone not a forum approved “ATG” ?

 

1980 Ali

 

@BigBone
Was it you who photoshopped Douglas into Godzilla? Because that was my avatar for a while, I think.

 

It's OK to speculate at what point in Muhammad Ali's career an in-shape and motivated Buster Douglas may have beaten him, and I am a big Ali fan—but being a big fan aside. I don't think he would have beaten any version of Ali up until 1975, pre-Frazier in Manila. The question is, would Ali have been motivated? If so, it would be a close fight in 1975—jab for jab and right hand for right hand. But Muhammad Ali's ring savvy, strong chin, and endurance would prevail for a close, but unanimous decision win. He may have planted the seed for victory with his pre-fight psych-out tactics, and was certainly, capable of getting into Buster's head throughout the fight, talking to him and throwing him off his game plan. The Ali who fought Norton in 1976 would be a tough call. I can only speculate that he could still do enough at that stage of his career to pull off a win. I believe Muhammad was showing early signs of Parkinson's in 1977, so no comment. But I will say with all certainty that the Muhammad Ali of 1967 would frustrate and maybe even stop Buster in the late rounds.

 

Uncle, is that really you?

Can't say I remember that but I was quite addicted to shoppin' back in the day and never clear in mind.

 

I think Tokyo Douglas could beat the Ali that lost to Spinks

 

Y'all don't think Douglas could defeat on points the green Alì of 1963? That would be an interesting match-up imo

 

'Addiction' carries with it a certain...stigma. What you were doing was God's work, Bonesly. God's work! If they allowed image posting for regulars here, the threads we could bother with... You with your actual shopping and me, putting things in paint, spraying afros on random people...It could be everything right with the world. But, those days are gone.


...But never...completely forgotten.

 

I do think that Douglas is likely to win a match over the pre-Liston version of Ali. Better pressure and jab than men like Jones, not to mention that he's bigger, faster, and stronger.