Would prime 1960s Ali still have to employ the rope-a-dope strategy against the guys he used it?

Frazier and Norton no because it was a bad move against them and gave him no benefit. Foreman maybe just because Foreman was very good at cutting the ring and forcing people into corners so he might not have had a choice. Though would prime Ali be able to do the Rope-a-dope who knows?

 

I voted no, but hard to know exactly of course.

An Ali who was in great shape tired himself out against Norton in the rematch after 4-5 rds and had to pull it out of the bag late. Yes, 60's Ali had better legs, but over 15 there would still be stages when he slowed down. But in '73 he didn't really "rope-a-dope" as such during those moments, even though he was trapped on the ropes at times.

Foreman was great at cutting off the ring as you say, and the conditions in Zaire, with the small ring and slow canvas as well, would make it very challenging even for a prime Ali. Foreman didn't have Norton's stamina nor his defence, though, and he would always tire himself in those conditions and from the punches he would gobble up. The thing that's often overlooked with that fight is that he was target practice from the opening bell and that would be even more true if it was prime Ali in there with him.

In Manilla, the conditions was also very much against using a lot of movement. I think Ali is going to be forced tp spend some time on the ropes if he can't get Joe out of there. In normal conditions that version of Frazier would probably have a hard time keeping up with him, but the conditions in Manilla would work in his favour. I think this one is really difficult even for prime Ali.