Your thoughts...

Good question Jim!.
I think there would have been a certain amount of speculation on what might have been, but, for me, the second reign made him what he was and sealed his legacy, regardless of whether or not the earlier version was better.
After all, we never knew just how resilient he was until the 70's.
So, in answer to your question, i would say the quote is correct.

 

Even at that time his record stacked up pretty well on paper.

Nine title defences against guys who were ranked for the most part.

A very dominant champion over a three year period.

People would have pointed out that it wasn’t the strongest era, but the purists would have rated him among the better champions.

 

A heavyweight champion that remained unbeaten during his entire career? Yes he would still be talked about today so the quote is wrong in that sense but obviously he wouldn't be revered in the same way if he hadn't played such a major part in the following decade that is still regarded as been the golden age of heavyweight boxing.

Where Ali would have been placed in the list of ATG heavyweights is another interesting question if his career had finished in the 60s. Would he even be top 10?

 

He would enjoy serious post-retirement legacy boosts from niche circles like us. Nothing like the legacy he has today of course. He would be an enigmatic figure that some would rate highly, and whom others would roll their eyes at.

 

Some would have the view: He ducked Foreman, Frazier and Norton.

 

There is some truth to this.

Ali's title run in the 1960s was rather ordinary. Though he would have retired undefeated, he was pretty much untested.

That took Frazier, Norton, and Foreman whom he defeated in the 1970's.

 

Ill say false.
His record was good but more importantly he was the first HWC that possesed that type of speed of hand and foot not to mention those reflexes.
Yes his big fights that would go on to define him didnt happen yet but the traits I listed above already made him special and i say this very begrudgingly.

 

They would have said, frazier and foreman would have ripped him to pieces. That if cooper and banks could knock him down those two would have gone further and knocked him cold. There would have been questions on what if? But as the year s go by he'd have been seen as the Michael nunn of the heavyweight s. Talented but fragile.

 

Patterson was just as fast. In handspeed at least. Still I will give you that footspeed, no one could dance and move like Clay did.

 

He would have been talked about ad finitum on the basis of his colorful personality as much as his fighting qualities.

 

Spot on. Only difference with that quote today is that even the ones who roll their eyes still know deep down how great he was.

 

IMO, the greatest HW ever. He came back successfully and had major victories. Sadly, as the years go on, I find myself somewhat disappointed in his second career simply because he was able to pick and choose his opponents, especially post 75. He was simply fighting to solidify his legacy. Wanted 2 of 3 vs. Joe, wanted 2 of 3 vs. Ken which I don't think he got. Never rematched Foreman. He and Joe were shells by Manilla. His 'bum of the month' c r a p: Dunn, Coopman, Evangilista, were embarrassing. The Japanese wrestler? IMO he let Spinks cop their first scrap knowing the kid would give him an immediate rematch to give him the honor of being the "first 3-time HW champ".
That being said, I rank him #1 for what we didn't see. The summer of 67-summer of 70 Ali. Many mention his first reign as not containing THE most talented crop of contenders. Perhaps, but, had he stayed active in the late 60's-early 70's, he would have been facing a plethora of bad arse boys! And whupped 'em all! Frazier, circa 69-70 would certainly have been a tough out but he would have prevailed. Remember, against his handlers wishes, he fought Joe a scant 3 months after a tough 15 rounder against Ringo opting not to wait until the summer of 71 for our FOTC. Who know when his first loss might have occurred? Foreman? Perhaps, or someone else. I'm not really answering the thread but just wanted to weigh in.

 

They could say: "Ali did beat only a past prime Sonny Liston".....

 

Exactly, Patterson too. In fact; they would have said something about him fighting Liston leftovers.