Top 10 rather than top 3.
Obviously you wouldn't expect a prime Ali to lose to Frazier and Norton.
I think Ali was a spent fighter by 1975- the final fight with Frazier took everything out of him.
Wish he would have retired after that fight.
Muhammad Ali 1970 - 1975; where does he rate in HW history?
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The Great John L
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 26 Jul 2005, 19:37
Ali’s physical skills were slightly eroded during his second career, but I think you could make a decent case for him being more creative, tougher and maybe even being a better all around fighter during the first few years of his second career. Certainly his accomplishments during the 70’s are much more noteworthy than his accomplishments during the 60’s, when his natural physical abilities were better.
As to whether or not the younger Ali would have lost to Frazier and Norton; no one really knows, but certainly Frazier’s skills and especially his relentless style would have been a difficult fight for any version of Ali. I rate Ali as the #1 HW of al time, and Louis 2nd. If I was ranking the 70’s Ali only, I’d probably simply switch places and put Louis #1 and Ali #2.
As to whether or not the younger Ali would have lost to Frazier and Norton; no one really knows, but certainly Frazier’s skills and especially his relentless style would have been a difficult fight for any version of Ali. I rate Ali as the #1 HW of al time, and Louis 2nd. If I was ranking the 70’s Ali only, I’d probably simply switch places and put Louis #1 and Ali #2.