Zaire..was this Ali's greatest hour ?

No.
I put Ali number 1 all-time heavy but the Zaire fight had EVERYTHING in his favor (I won't go into details) and, in retrospect, his second reign had 'playing the public' all over it!
He's my choice for #1 simply because we didn't see him in what would have been his prime (summer 67-summer 70)

 

To play devil's advocate, there is some strong circumstantial evidence to suggest that Sadler may have poisoned Foreman. He sure as hell gave him some bad advice in the corner, telling George to keep on attacking when it became obvious that George was fatiguing.

The Liston fights weren't fixed. Liston just got his ass whooped and decided to quit twice. He even tried to cheat and that didn't work.

 

I haven't seen that 1974 fight in so so many years, I forgot that Ali 'decisively" won that match, nobody really remembers that fight just the 1st and the 3rd...

But the reason I voted for the Manilla, fight is because it was THE RUBBER MATCH, between the 2, and Frazier was his chief rival there was such bad blood between the 2, and it was Ali's toughest fight, even Ali said he felt close to death in that 1975 fight:deal, ...

If you wanna go by underdog status, then it would be the 65 Liston fight Ali was a bigger dog in that fight , than against George..

One can also make an argument that the 1978 Spinks rematch victory was Ali's finest hour, because he became the 1st man to reclaim the heavyweight title 3 times, something unheard of back in those days, when it wasn't unusual sometimes for guy's to wait 2 or 3 years to get a crack at the belt...

 

I agree about the Liston fight's, Sonny was already around 40 and was severely overmatched...

Why the hell would Sadler poison his own horse???:huh, it would obviously have been a stronger financial incentive for his guy to remain champ, for the BIG paydays that would have come Foreman's way had he dethroned Ali, doesn't make sense:-(

 

To make a lot of money that's why. The stronger financial incentive would have been for him to bet the house on the 8-1 underdog Ali. How much did he make working Foreman's corner? Peanuts in comparison, so if he fixed that fight he could have made bank betting on Ali.
Foreman said the water Sadler gave to him right before he stepped into the ring tasted like strange medicine and when he questioned Sadler, he said it "was the same as always".


Maybe it's all bull**** but interesting stuff.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2007-07/04/content_909370.htm

 

According to census records that came out in 2012, Liston was born no earlier than July 1930. This would have made him about 33 in the first Ali fight and 34 in the rematch. He was no spring chicken but not exactly old. Up until that point in his career he looked invincible.

http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles-frontpage/15175-a-birthday-for-sonny-liston

 

Thanks for the clip an interesting read.

I read several years ago that Liston was born on a farm in Arkansas 1925, then i read another disputed story that stated he was born in 1928, who knows? back in those days people kept shoddy records, and things were far from precise unlike today, obviously he led folks to believe he was younger than he really was, his whole life was a mystery even his death was never solved...

Come to think of it the biggest fight of his career was a mystery, the so called phantom punch, but be that as it may he was just too old to beat the much quicker and fresher Ali..

 

Read the link, it's already been proven. Liston born no later than July 1930. Only about 33 when he fought Ali.
The age excuse is invalid. Sonny was at or close to is physical prime when he stepped in the ring with Ali. Ali just kicked his ass because he was the much better fighter.

 

I know Foreman was young in 1974, but also terribly NAIVE, to let someone you don't even like work your corner in the biggest fight of your life:-(, Foreman probably thought he didn't even need a corner all he had to do was show up and hit Ali once and go home...

I've seen a few old interviews with Sadler and he seemed a little crooked...

 

yes, without question. the ultimate story of redemption....

....until foreman beat moorer.

 

So the re-writing of history goes on.

 

Ahem...'drugging allegations' aside, I think Zaire has the old vet, back from exile, in Africa, for his people angle. Manila has the most grueling fight and gutsy performance.....
I think his first champ win against Liston is absolutely incredible though. Personal preference where you put these moments I guess but I personally rate the 1-7 Liston clowning as No. 1. Had the drama of the 'linoment' in the eye, the outburst after and a game changing beautiful boxing master-class....oh and the "I'm now called Muhammad Ali" name change after! Take that Whitey! Ha ha

 

When did Ali say it was an easy fight for him? Wasn't he pissing blood for days after?
He took brutal punishment, probably more to the body but still. I believe it was his greatest achievement, certainly debatable. Foreman was heavily favored and deemed invincible. Ali didn't plan to rope a dope, Foreman just cut off the ring that well. He beat
Foreman mentally, george could have beat that count.