Ali vs Frazier 1968

[Brian Seneca]

What If Ali isn’t stripped. Frazier would have been a mandatory by then. I know Ali was fleet of foot and hand speed at this stage, but I honestly think Joe gives him trouble in any decade. I lean Ali split decision. Joe maybe too green at this point. Thoughts?

[DrDuke]

In 1968 Frazier had already been in prime.

Smokin' Joe by the decision.

[SteveO]

In a 1968 contest Frazier would have had his moments but Ali was only getting better at that stage and would have been in his prime.
I think Ali would have been too fast for Smokin' Joe and cruised to a points win or even a late stoppage.
Sadly, we'll never know.

[oogiebe]

In a 1968 contest Frazier would have had his moments but Ali was only getting better at that stage and would have been in his prime.
I think Ali would have been too fast for Smokin' Joe and cruised to a points win or even a late stoppage.
Sadly, we'll never know.

x2

[hhaehre]

Frazier by decision if I had to pick a winner, but in reality these two would always fight each other to a standstill. A perfect matchup if there ever was one.

[oogiebe]

Frazier by decision if I had to pick a winner, but in reality these two would always fight each other to a standstill. A perfect matchup if there ever was one.

Prime Ali was levels above the Ali that Frazier fought in the fight of the century. Frazier wouldn't land a glove on him.

[Duran1970]

I agree that it was a slower Ali post exile but I disagree that Frazier wouldn't have had a chance...Joe had the style to always give Ali problems...

[oogiebe]

I agree that it was a slower Ali post exile but I disagree that Frazier wouldn't have had a chance...Joe had the style to always give Ali problems...

I disagree. Ali was ridiculous pre-ban and getting better.

[Duran1970]

Susceptible to a left hooker...see Henry Cooper.. Frazier was special......just finished reading The Greatest my own story and Ali admits that Joe would always have given him a battle at any point in his career due to his style... finally showed joe respect after Manila

[oogiebe]

Susceptible to a left hooker...see Henry Cooper.. Frazier was special......just finished reading The Greatest my own story and Ali admits that Joe would always have given him a battle at any point in his career due to his style... finally showed joe respect after Manila

Ali always heaped gobs of praise on guys he beat, especially if they gave him a tough time. I stick to my earlier statement.

[elmersalsa]

Any of the two could win. No shame on the loser.

[elmersalsa]

Any of the two could win. No shame on the loser.

[Onetimeonly]

I dont think younger Ali could have taken all that punishment against an even better Frazier. Joe by stoppage in 11.

[Brian Seneca]

I dont think younger Ali could have taken all that punishment against an even better Frazier. Joe by stoppage in 11.

Wow! This surprises me. I don’t disagree. Interesting observation. No one had roughed up this version.

[Ambling Alp II]

There is no evidence at all that he couldn't take the punishment. Why would have got more durable after a long layoff and he got older? Makes no sense.

It's a moot point anyway. Frazier would be hitting him a lot less. A past his best Ali beat Frazier 2 out of 3.
A prime Ali against a version of Frazier who had not quite reached his prime. Ali by late stoppage or lopsided decision. Frazier would not win more than 4 rounds.

[Onetimeonly]

Frazier wasn't prime in their first fight.

[Ambling Alp II]

He wasn't? huh?
Then when was he?

[Onetimeonly]

Before he broke his ankle.

[Onetimeonly]

They were both close enough, just a rebuttal for all the excuse makers. Like yourself.

[gilgamesh]

It's interesting to ponder. I think it would've been similarly great to the 1st bout, and I think it'd be a competitive enough matchup that if they fought multiple times between say 68 and 70 instead of 71 and 75 they would've split victories against each other as well.

[keithmoonhangover]

Prime before the ban Ali, had better footwork, faster reflexes and was just a better boxer.

That version beats any prime heavyweight ever IMO.

[cfang]

Ive changed my mind on this one. Always thought pre ban ali would be too fast etc for frazier but when you look at ali's defences pre ban, yes he won easy but the guys he fought were either not that great or on the downside. Foley, williams, patterson all fall into that category while cooper, mildenberger, london, etc were not quite top class. The next generation of heavys were all better imo and ali and frazier had similar results against them all.

I suspect it may pan out a bit like what actually happened anyway, With frazier shocking ali, a more cautious ali winning the rematch and then the decider being a toss up.

[Ambling Alp II]

Before he broke his ankle.

Surprising that he ever walked again.

[Ambling Alp II]

Ive changed my mind on this one. Always thought pre ban ali would be too fast etc for frazier but when you look at ali's defences pre ban, yes he won easy but the guys he fought were either not that great or on the downside. Foley, williams, patterson all fall into that category while cooper, mildenberger, london, etc were not quite top class. The next generation of heavys were all better imo and ali and frazier had similar results against them all.

I suspect it may pan out a bit like what actually happened anyway, With frazier shocking ali, a more cautious ali winning the rematch and then the decider being a toss up.

Well, Ali did a lot better against foreman.
Past his best Ali won 2 out of 3.
And Ali was a much better fighter in the 1960s than in the 1970s. Therefore, Ali would have won a easier in the 1960s.
It's pretty much that simple.

[Onetimeonly]