What was wrong with Ali at the end of the second Norton fight?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by DavidC77, Jan 26, 2019.


  1. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He pushed Bundini Brown away then threw a punch at him. Good for Ali, if you ask me, Bundini was a sycophantic parasite.

    You can see he wanted to be left alone and only grudgingly agreed to meet Norton in the centre of the ring after the decision was announced.

    Personally, I think Ali had found the Norton rematch much harder than he expected despite having trained very hard and because of that he doubted whether he still had the tools to become World Champion.
     
    DavidC77, Jan 26, 2019
    DavidC77, Jan 26, 2019
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  2. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    When you're tired and have just had enough and are worried you might have your career derailed by losing another decision, you don't want a parasite flapping his gums in your face. He just needed a minute to collect himself.


    At least that's the impression I got.
     
    salsanchezfan, Jan 26, 2019
    salsanchezfan, Jan 26, 2019
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  3. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He may simply have been in pain. At this time and the Rudi Lubbers fight he was experiencing calcium deposits on his knuckles that was making every punch difficult to throw. I believe he had it taken care of before the Frazier fight by use of cortisone shots. But I remember as a kid and despite being a big supporter of his, mumbling to myself at the time, "If he doesn't get this taken care of, he won't beat Frazier in the rematch."
     
    scartissue, Jan 26, 2019
    scartissue, Jan 26, 2019
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  4. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Like you said, Ali got in the best shape possible for the rematch and still Norton gave him all he could handle and more. I think he was as pissed at himself as he was Bundini.
     
    Wass1985, Jan 26, 2019
    Wass1985, Jan 26, 2019
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  5. steve21

    steve21 Well-Known Member

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    Yep - Norton was just that guy that would always give Ali fits; big, skilled, just the right style, and not at all intimidated by the Ali mystique. Pretty much every championship fighter has had at least one opponent like this ...
     
    steve21, Jan 27, 2019
    steve21, Jan 27, 2019
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  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    That many years since I watched this fight I'd forgotten all about that incident. But its probably like a few said here ,Ali maybe annoyed with himself for not beating Norton conclusive as he wanted to. Then Brown s yapping away in his earhole .Bet he thought ,get out off my face !
     
    Fergy, Jan 27, 2019
    Fergy, Jan 27, 2019
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  7. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    I agree. Not only did he struggle in th e fight but he basically lost the entire second half of the fight, just getting the narrowest of edges because one of his pattered flash over effectiveness 12th round finishes. If you did not have the big power to freeze up Norton his terrific size, reach, strength, conditioning, jab , power were a brutal challenge. I'm not sure Ali ever beat Norton.
     
    he grant, Jan 27, 2019
    he grant, Jan 27, 2019
    #7