When do you think Ali should have called it quits?

yeah I see a lot of rewritting history on this site.

Marciano duck Liston.
Ali is a saint, and God like in the Ring.
Foreman can blast any one outside of Ali in 3 rounds or less.
Jeff could not complete in the 1920's and up. And was near his prime for the Johnson fight.
Liston had to wait 9 long years for a title shot. Relly it was about 3 or 2 at the most.
Patterson is a top ten heavyweight. The guy was a poor champ imo.
Ingo was a bum, good or decent figher, no bum. And with his right hand, could upset about any one. As he show vs Machen.
Prime Tyson would beat Holyfiled, or Tyson was pass his prime vs Douglas.

 

after ali frazier 3.........there was no point.:smoke:smoke:smoke:smoke

 

Before his fights with Frazier. I think those are the ones that did the most damage.

 

So basically you're saying that the guy shouldn't even have returned to the sport after being banned for 3 1/2 years? That he should have retired permanantely in his late 20's?

 

This is the only one that I disagree with. Patterson was an all time great in my opinion. The rest of the nonsense I concur with. There certainly are a lot of myths and historical revisionism on ESB.

 

Yep, that's exactly what I'm typing. Would have taken a lot away from him being "The Greatest" now wouldn't have it?

 

I don't particularly think that its necessary to derprive Ali of his opportunity to prove himself against Frazier. I think the Frazier fights were Ok for Ali to engage in, but after 1975 ( Thrilla in Manila) he should have hung em' up.

 

Good thinking. I rate Ali in my top 3, BTW

 

WTF, who in the hell is deram?

 

Ali should have retired immediately after the Thrilla in Manilla, which would have saved him the embarrassment of Spinks, Young, and Inoki.

 

Patterson was a poor champ. For the 5 or 6 years as champ. he FAILED to face top contenders Eddie Machen and Zolly Folly. Even waited a while for Liston. But he goes on and defends the title vs the likes of what:? Jackson?? Rademacher(In his first pro fight) Over hype Roy Harris,. I mean geez, how many times are we suppose to let Patterson slid here?? I mean I see on the fourms day in and day out, that Marciano was over hype ete. And if he lost he would not be a great champ.

But than they turn around and say Patterson was a great champ. Sure he didnt need to face the best of his divsion. But still a great champ. I see a lot of praise in regards to Patterson. Mostly on the ClayII hype machine for Ali. Because if Patterson is a great champ. Than Ali beating Patterson would be a great champ. No I dont buy it.

What parts Patterson from ATG or truly great champs was he FAILED to face the number 1 guys of his era.

 

Did Ali need to prove himself against Frazier when it was 1-1 head to head? No. Ali proved himself 'the greatest' by beating Foreman. He should have retired and refused to face Norton or Frazier unless they beat Foreman.

 

I agree with the general flo of what you're saying, except I think that there was high public demand to see a rubber match between Ali and Frazier. I myself, don't particularly think that it was necessary as Ali was clearly the better of the two at that point, but I think fan interest is what dictated their third meeting.

 

I just re-watched (or should I say re-winced at and recoiled in horror) the Ali-Holmes fight. I know it has been said many times before, but I was amazed by the respect and restraint shown by Holmes in that disaster. That could have been a horrifically brutal beatdown leading to a death (it was bad enough with Holmes using restraint). In fact, I was still waiting for Ali to collapse in death even though I knew otherwise-that is how disturbing that spectacle was for me.

 

It was indeed one of boxing's saddest moments. Although, there have been numerous ring deaths that were far more tragic. I'm not exactly sure why that fight was staged. I don't think that there was a particularly high demand from the public for it, and incidently, neither man received anywhere near the size purse that they were promised ( courtesy if Don King ). I find it hard to believe that Ali really believed that he could recapture the crown, especially with his current health condition and knowledge of how formidable Holmes was from sparring with him.