Which fights would prove that "67 Ali" was unbeatable against anyone in history ?

Pug, Ali carried Terrell just to punish him for referring to him as Clay. Remember What's My Name in round 8.

 

I can’t agree Liston was anywhere near his prime. He was 34 at the youngest (according to the most recent data available he was born in ‘22 or’23) fought 6 minutes in three years and went into the bout with a known injury.

 

Personally I don’t think he did carry him Rich.

Not saying I’m correct, just imo but after the fight Ali also said he didn’t carry Terrell and gave him his due for being tough.

I know that can be put down to Ali simply being courteous but I think while Ali might’ve been happy to punish Ernie he would’ve also taken him out if at all possible.

At any rate, we got to see Ali doing his thing for a whole 15 rounds - so that was solid proof of his ability to move and output for the duration of need be.

 

Nobody's unbeatable but back in 1966/67 Muhammad was about as near as dammit to it. He would have been a major headache for any heavyweight in history.

 

Muhammad Ali was sharp on the night of Feb 6 1967 when he outclassed WBA Champion Ernie Terrell over 15 rounds, that night Ali in my opinion does not lose to Joe Frazier, March 8 1971 version or March 1973 version of Ken Norton. Ali simply could stick and move for 15 rounds if he had to, no Rope A Dope was needed or getting his jaw broken. Ali was in possession of all of his physical gifts, the speed, footwork, timing, reflexes, and stamina.

 

Agreed,Richard - on all points. Muhammad also had great workrate during that phase of his career.

 

Thanks Stevie G.

 

To be fair, many good and knowledgeable fellows on this site also say Tokyo Douglas was unstoppable,FOTC Frazier was unbeatable, 88 Tyson was invincible (to be fair that’s probably only me haha). So ‘67 Ali doesn’t have it his own way in terms of being labelled as the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Personally from what I’ve seen on film and read about, the first version of Ali (Clay) was excellent, one of the quickest HWs ever seen. That speed makes a big, big difference at Heavyweight when a lot of your opponents are slow as molasses. As someone said to me the other day, 1960s Ali was Roy Jones before Roy Jones was Roy Jones!

So I’ll add 1967 Ali to that ever growing list of “invincible” individual or single year performances. I think he deserves to be considered. I still prefer 1988 Tyson though…

 

Agree Rich.

That’s the beauty of the fact that it went 15 rounds - to allow for proof that Ali could do his thing all night. As great as Ali looked against Cleveland Williams, we got to see Ali throw those same sizzling combos against Terrell, not just for 2 + rounds but round after round all the way through to and including the 15th. Very hard to beat.

 

I forgot about Sonny's terrible ring rust. Ewps (sorry).

I don't think ANY fighter could be expected to fight their best under those circumstances.

 

Your bias & agenda are clearly on display right from the very beginning of your post. You're questioning the '67 Ali and the first thing you mention is him getting hit with a single punch in '63 proving he wasn't as illusive as legend makes out.

There are many other parts of your post that are equally ridiculous, but that's enough to show your lack of reason.

 

For me if he could beat Prime Holmes, Lennox and Louis.
Cos those fights ain't easy.

 

Yep,they're the 3 guys who might,just might,have had a chance of beating ' 67 ' Muhammad Ali.

 

Agreed.

 

All good. I doubt even a prime Liston beats peak Ali.