Who are some boxers that could have beaten Ali in his prime or at least get close?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mark ant, Feb 21, 2019.


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  1. Sanxion

    Sanxion New Member Full Member

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    I know this response does not directly answer the original question...but allow me to quote the great Jersey Joe Walcott who said in 1967: "He could beat Dempsey, Louis, Marciano, and a fellow named Jersey Joe Walcott".
     
    Sanxion, Feb 22, 2019
    Sanxion, Feb 22, 2019
    #16
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  2. Sting like a bean

    Sting like a bean Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    I wouldn't go quite that far. I think once you get to a certain elite circle, any fighter within it could beat any other with a little luck. That's certainly the case in chess, and even the very best grandmasters lose fairly often to players much less accomplished and/or talented than themselves.

    My contention is that no heavyweight in history has a probable chance of beating prime Ali.
     
    Sting like a bean, Feb 22, 2019
    Sting like a bean, Feb 22, 2019
    #17
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  3. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Norton was as big as Ali...and wasn't intimidated by all the Ali "talk"....and Norton used his jab to neutralize Ali's jab.
    Problem is would Norton get a fair shake with the judges.
     
    Longhhorn71, Feb 22, 2019
    Longhhorn71, Feb 22, 2019
    #18
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  4. Sting like a bean

    Sting like a bean Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Notwithstanding what I just wrote, my picks are:

    Holyfield
    Joe Louis (no, his footwork is not as crude as you think)
    Joe Frazier
    Lennox Lewis
    Larry Holmes
    Mike Tyson
     
    Sting like a bean, Feb 22, 2019
    Sting like a bean, Feb 22, 2019
    #19
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  5. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Not sure about this but admire the out of the box thinking ..
     
    he grant, Feb 22, 2019
    he grant, Feb 22, 2019
    #20
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  6. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Lewis
    Bowe
    Holmes
     
    he grant, Feb 22, 2019
    he grant, Feb 22, 2019
    #21
  7. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Holy was a lot easier to hit than Ali, Lewis was easier to hit with jabs and Holmes was easier to catch with right hands.
     
    mark ant, Feb 22, 2019
    mark ant, Feb 22, 2019
    #22
  8. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Bowe was nowhere near Ali`s level, he used to make tons of mistakes and would get punished by Ali everytime.
     
    mark ant, Feb 22, 2019
    mark ant, Feb 22, 2019
    #23
  9. TBI

    TBI Active Member Full Member

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    Holmes
    Lewis
    Frazier
    Tyson
    Wlad

    In that order, according to probability of winning.
     
    TBI, Feb 22, 2019
    TBI, Feb 22, 2019
    #24
  10. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    The Bowe that fought Holyfield hr first time would be a nightmare ..
     
    he grant, Feb 22, 2019
    he grant, Feb 22, 2019
    #25
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  11. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    I get the case for Tyson, and I think he has a better chance than most, but no way in hell can I pick him.

    His mental weakness is overstated, but he aint got half of what Ali had. Ali would just keep boxing, and would get to Tyson and stop him late.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Feb 23, 2019
    BitPlayerVesti, Feb 23, 2019
    #26
  12. mark ant

    mark ant Canelo was never athletic Full Member

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    Ali was far better than Holy was during his first reign as champ, he was leaking shots in that fight which was a brawl.
     
    mark ant, Feb 23, 2019
    mark ant, Feb 23, 2019
    #27
  13. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Your thread asked an opinion. I gave mine. Belligerent responses aren’t changing it.
     
    he grant, Feb 23, 2019
    he grant, Feb 23, 2019
    #28
    mark ant likes this.
  14. timmers612

    timmers612 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    For those who include Larry here my reasons for excluding him aren't his strengths mentioned but a weakness that isn't, Larry did not do well coming after a moving target. Even in the bout with the past it Ali Larry followed the slow moving target round after round not throwing punches until Ali stopped, this never altered and against a prime Ali it would have been all movement against him.
     
    timmers612, Feb 23, 2019
    timmers612, Feb 23, 2019
    #29
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  15. escudo

    escudo Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Bowe vs Ali would look a lit like Jones vs Toney.
     
    escudo, Feb 24, 2019
    escudo, Feb 24, 2019
    #30
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