Who gives prime Ali his greatest test?

Did you ever watch Wlad-Haye? I was shocked at how fast Wladimir is when he trains for speed. I dont feel he would look that slow.

 

I did watch that fight,but... Haye isn`t in Ali`s league when it comes to speed. I actually don`t think Vlad would be able to prepare for the incredible hand and foot speed of Ali...

 

Ray Austin :rofl

That guy couldn't beat one of Wilders eary record padders.

One of Wlads better wins was beaten by a Wilder leftover. Dear o dear

 

Has anyone mentioned Wlad?

I think he might present Ali with problems he hadn't faced.

 

***

 

holyfield circa the douglas fight was evander's physical peak.. and you know the heart was there should the need have arisen.

that guy would trouble ali

 

Had Holyfield developed his head to full butting potential or did that come later?

 

I think the HW's with the best chance of beating a prime Ali are actually the smaller ones, particularly those that can come under his punches and fire back with hard fast left hooks. The 2 that come to mind of course are Frazier and Dempsey. Both fought low and bobbed and weaved and had debilitating left hooks, the 1 punch that Ali was most susceptible to. The big heavyweights that Ali faced really didn't give him a very hard time. Bugner? In their 2 fights Joe never hurt Ali once. Lyle? we all saw what happened to Ron when Ali threw 1 right hand in the 11th after letting Ron build up a lead. Foreman? We all know what happened to big George in Africa. The only good sized HW that was troublesome for Ali was Norton due to Ken's awkward style and good jab. A big stand up straight HW might give Ali some trouble but Ali would prevail I think due to his speed and fast right lead that could catch a fighter by surprise. Just ask Lyle and Foreman about this. Ali knew how to fight a big tall HW. The question is would any of today's HW's know how to handle a prime Ali?

 

No, Holyfield's butting only really showed up when the steroids made all his hair fall out, not long after the Buster fight.

 

A young Greg Page, he would give Cassius Clay hell, and then some, but he would escape with a close unanimous decision.

 

The Rock.

 

I rank Ali #1 as well but I don't dismiss some of the bigger HWs so easily. Bowe, Lewis, V. Klitschko, and W. Klitschko would all give Ali plenty of problems. This isn't Jess Willard, Primo Carnera, or Gerry C. we are talking about here. These men could fight.

At 6'5", 235-240 Lbs., and a reach over 80", Bowe was awesome. He was one of only three HW Champs who were never stopped... Tunney and Marciano are the others. He had size, strength, punching power, durability, speed, a good jab, and good overall skill.

Lewis had all of these things as well except his chin was not as good. Lewis was much more focused than Bowe and become the better fighter under Manny Steward's masterful guidance. Lewis would stick to his fight plan better than Bowe, had better defense, and a more accurate jab.

V. Klitschko, the elder and more durable Klitschko was never down and never behind on points in a fight. Yes, he lost two fight by TKO (LTKOby9 Byrd and LTKOby6 Lewis), but he was ahead on points in both of these fights.

W. Klitschko is the better overall boxer (compared to his brother) but not as durable. He's been stopped 3 times and down in a couple of other fights but over the last decade he has been awesome. His chin would hold up vs. Ali.

Holyfield and Tyson would give Ali problems as well.

 

i do not buy the math on Norton. I think he was peak in '73, but Ali was not the same fighter then as years ago before the exile. The extra speed, especially of foot, would mean a comfortable decision.

 

You don't get humour do you?

 

Yes. Chuck Wepner, Doug Jones, and Henry Cooper were the absolute height of fast reflexes and elite boxing ability.