BoxRec

Ali-Foreman 2 instead of Ali-Norton 3 on that date. It almost happened.

The Thrilla in Manila was Sept. 1975, Ali had an easy win against Coopman in Feb. a controversial decision against Jimmy Young in April and his last KO of Richard Dunn in May, all 1976.

Foreman 1976 was a KO of Lyle, Frazier, LeDoux, and Dennis. Of course he lost to Young in 1977.

Ali "won" a very controversial decision against Norton in that night.

What would the result have been if it had been Ali-Foreman 2 in Yankee Stadium that night?

Pretty hard to predict.

Foreman lost their actual fight only because a stupid tactical failure. Probably if Foreman measured the pace, he would break Ali down.

By Sep 1976 both were declined. Ali declined more. Frazier took a lot from Ali in Manila. Ali clearly lost to Norton in the third bout.

Young was a slicker operator at that moment than Ali. He arguably won both Ali and Norton.

I lean more towards Foreman at that point, likely by stoppage.

I'm not sure who would have won either but i know I wanted Ali to fight Foreman and not Norton.