Who beats Ali? No hedging your bets, who do YOU pick to straight up beat him?

I don't think any heavyweight beats THAT version of Ali truthfully.

 

Definitely NOT Louis.

I might favor Larry Holmes.

 

Holmes
Tyson

 

No-one has an edge against the 60's version.

 

Ali on his best day vs Louis on his best day, ali wins 10 times out of 10.

 

At his best no one imo.

 

Stylistically that could be interesting, but Ali was the better out-boxer, and his superior movement should see him to a points win in a competitive bout, similar to how Evander was able to have success on the outside in the second fight.

 

Nobody beats the mid 66-67 version of Ali.

 

I don't know about pound for pound, but I really wouldn't favor any single heavyweight beating an absolute peak Ali. I think from 1966-67, Ali beats all the swarmers, Frazier, Marciano, Tyson, etc. I think he beats any great fighter before his time, Marciano, Louis, Dempsey, Johnson, etc. I think he manages to out point and out wit many of your future champs, Holmes, Holyfield, etc. He might struggle with some of the giants, but manages to out box them, Bowe, Lewis, Klitschko bros, etc.

Does this mean it would actually happen? No. Nobody is invincible and that includes Muhammad Ali. But he emerged as the best heavyweight in the most competitive era in heavyweight boxing, and did so past his prime. I think at his peak, he may have accomplished some never before seen things.....

 

It's hard to pick any heavyweight in history that would keep up with the prime late 1960's version of Ali. I think Frazier could catch him and possibly hurt him en route to a close unanimous decision victory. The only other heavyweights that probably beat this version of Ali are Larry Holmes, Joe Louis and maybe 1985 - 1987 Mike Tyson.

 

I think the swarmer style was the best style to beat a prime Ali.
I give Fraizer, Marciano, maybe Dempsey a good shot in beating Ali. Ali never face a swarmer before 71.

Dont think the puncher boxings like Louis would fair well. I dont think Tyson would keep up the flow after a few rounds, and I pretty sure Johnson would lose in a 12 or 15 rounder vs Ali.