How many heavyweights could beat the version of Muhamad Ali that Joe Frazier fought?

[janitor]

How many heavyweights would have beaten the version of Muhamad Ali that Joe Frazier beat in the fight of the century?

My guess is not too many.

[mr. magoo]

Very few in my opinion. Of course, I won't say none because I personally believe that the best version of Ali was pre-exile. A peak Lewis or peak Holmes, or peak Tyson might have potentially beaten him, but I say this with no real conviction.

[Dostoevsky]

Prime Mike Tyson.

[Sonny's jab]

Ken Norton

[ThePlugInBabies]

foreman, no doubt in my mind that he busts joe up badly any time they meet.

[mr. magoo]

foreman, no doubt in my mind that he busts joe up badly any time they meet.

The question of the thread was " How many heavyweights could beat the version of Ali, that Frazier beat.

[yancey]

Most likely no one.

[PhillyPhan69]

Prime Mike Tyson.

Based on all of Tyson's victories over ATG's ????

[arther1045]

Ali would destroy that little midget quitter crybaby Tyson


Exactly..There is no doubt in my mind that Ali in 71 would knock out any version of Tyson. I can't see where these Tyson backers come from. He never finsihed a fight when taking any real punishment and they think he is going to finish with Ali. its a joke.

[SuzieQ49]

marciano, louis, liston, dempsey all beat 1971 ali. oscar bonavena gave ali hell.

[mr. magoo]

marciano, louis, liston, dempsey all beat 1971 ali. oscar bonavena gave ali hell.

Please.

Bonavena was only the second fight that Ali had in 3.5 years, and do you really think that he was as physically or mentally prepared for that fight as he was for the FOTC?

Besides, saying that Marciano, Louis, Liston or Dempsey would beat him just because Bonavena gave him a workout isn't saying much. There were plenty of guys who troubled those champions who weren't anywhere on par with a 1971 Ali.

[ChrisPontius]

Ken Norton

I highly doubt that. Norton managed to beat an underprepared and out of shape Ali. When Ali was in shape for the rematch, he won the fight.

And he was much better in '71 than he was in '73 for the Norton rematch. Norton was at his peak yet lost. I don't see how he's going to beat a prepared, FOTC Ali. He'll always give him loads of trouble, but not too much to beat him.

I don't think many heavyweights could beat that Ali. Although he was beaten, he gave a great account of himself, had to dig deep, deep and showed more than he ever did before.

[SuzieQ49]

my reason for them beating a 71 ali is not because of the bonavena fight

[ironchamp]

Based on all of Tyson's victories over ATG's ????

It based on Tyson's style....

[C. M. Clay II]

my reason for them beating a 71 ali is not because of the bonavena fight

What do you think of Mike Tyson beating that version Suzie?

[Chaney]

I remember reading that Eddie Futch said to Frazier as they were getting ready to leave the dressing room for the FOTC "This is it, Joe...I can honestly say there is no one I would rather send out to fight Ali than you, including Joe Louis"

[PhillyPhan69]

It based on Tyson's style....

LOL!! 10,000 commedians out of work and your tellin' jokes

[yancey]

marciano, louis, liston, dempsey all beat 1971 ali. oscar bonavena gave ali hell.

It was tough for anyone to look good against Ringo Bonavena. The man had absolutely no style whatever and was awkward as hell.

Of the quartet of champions mentioned above, I would think only prime Louis would have a solid chance against the Ali of 3/8/71.

[Sonny's jab]

I highly doubt that. Norton managed to beat an underprepared and out of shape Ali. When Ali was in shape for the rematch, he won the fight.

And he was much better in '71 than he was in '73 for the Norton rematch. Norton was at his peak yet lost. I don't see how he's going to beat a prepared, FOTC Ali. He'll always give him loads of trouble, but not too much to beat him.

I don't think many heavyweights could beat that Ali. Although he was beaten, he gave a great account of himself, had to dig deep, deep and showed more than he ever did before.

Well, I think Norton has to be regarded as a POSSIBLE WINNER against '71 Ali.

I hear lots of different things from Ali supporters in regards to how good he was at different stages/fights in the 1970s.

Often it is claimed that he took on Frazier too soon, and was better after a few more fights, so his 70s peak was '72 to '74, rather than '71.

Personally I tend to regard Ali from '70 to '74 as more or less the same animal, with a few variations in how in shape he was.

True, I acknowledge he was in better shape for Norton 2 than for Norton 1 but I also say that he was not HORRIBLY out of shape for the first one, not by a long way.

Then consider the fact that a '71 Ali had not faced Norton yet, so he would still suffer from encountering the awkward Norton style for the first time.
Would a post-60s Ali ever beat Norton on the first attempt?

Finally, over 15 rounds I'd give Norton more of a chance, as Ali would probably coast a few more in between. Having said that, it's more rounds for Ali to nick too.

To be fair to Norton, I give him a good chance against the Ali that Frazier beat.

[ChrisPontius]

Then consider the fact that a '71 Ali had not faced Norton yet, so he would still suffer from encountering the awkward Norton style for the first time.
Would a post-60s Ali ever beat Norton on the first attempt?


That is a good point, i had not thought about it yet.

[MachineGunMitch]

Prime Mike Tyson.


:huh

[Longhhorn71]

Ali didn't like to be the total aggressor.

Jimmy Young would have always troubled him....'71 Ali vs prime Jimmy Young.

Of course Young needs to keep his head inside the ropes this time.

And yes it would be a terribly boring fight and and with truly "neutral judges".

[SevenSamurai]

:huh

Its an inside joke.:lol:

Back on topic, there is no one you could comprehensively make a strong case for beating Ali in a one-off fight based on the version that fought Frazier.

There are however a number of heavweights who would have "a chance" of beating him.