Who was the shortest boxing contender of all time that could have beaten Ali?

Joe Walcott 5 '1 "1/2".

 

Tommy Burns in place of Berbick???

 

That's my Joe Frazier. Always picking up white girls.

 

I really don't see any possibility of Walcott winning that one. If Mysterious Billy Smith can outbox him at range, I'd be almost certain in Ali doing it.

 

I'm a tall guy, 6 feet 5 and a half inches, now, and I'm getting really old. I met Muhammad Ali in the Stanley Theater in Philadelphia, during his forced layoff from boxing. While standing, I spoke with him in the lobby at length, paying close attention to his height, and later sat behind him
for the Marciano vs Ali Computer Fight reenactment. I even looked at his shoes to get a feel for the heels, and there was nothing special about the heels. From what I saw, I'd say the man was about 6 feet 3 inches tall, without the shoes. He actually seemed taller than I expected.

As for the OP's question, if they fought many times, Sam Langford, Tommy Burns, and Tom Sharkey could probably pull off the occasional upset, IMHO, of course.

 

I think Harry Greb deserves in that group. I'd actually give him a better chance than the others.

 

Huh? I have never even seen Frazier listed anywhere as 6'. And listed heights tend to be at least slightly overstated.
Frazier if you are generous was 5' 11". he likely was ~ 5' 10", which Foreman said he never was a day in his life (when praising Joe).

 

Marvis Frazier maybe.

 

I’ve seen Frazier listed at 5’ 11 1/2

 

Can I ask a question? ...How the hell can you see a person on television and know their height by the exact inch ???....or even walking down the street...cops can’t do that lol

 

5’10 is like the default height of every short looking heavyweight of note. Marciano Tyson, Frazier, Tua, and Bert Cooper had all being said to be 5’10 at one time or another during their careers

 

Right after the FOTC, veteran trainer, mgr, etc octogenarian Charley Rose said that while only a middleweight Stanley Ketchel would have beaten both Frazier and Ali. (In no way am I agreeing with him, just quoting him!)

 

Yes, me too. That is what Tyson was listed at.
And that is both not 6', & as virtually everyone agrees & the eye test shows-especially considering Frazier's heels-it is at least a slight exaggeration.4
Tyson was likely 5' 10.5". No more.
Frazier was likely about the same, no more.

 

No offense djanders but how old are you?

I was looking up posters who went missing from the golden days and you were one before you gladly returned. My memory was you were born in the 20’s from your old profile. I may be wrong of course. Anyway I hope you’re in good health and doing well.