BoxRec

Who faced the better incarnation of Ali, in your eyes?

In '64, Ali was still a hair away, IMO, from his peak (he would prove himself a better fighter, & a more physically mature one, in 1965) but possessed blazing handspeed, tremendous agility & reflexes, &, importantly, plenty of fire in the belly. He also had the zeal & impetus of youth, an asset not to be under-estimated. There can be little doubt Ali was closer to his prime in 1964 than in 1974, but does that mandate he was the better fighter at this juncture in time?

Ten years on, Ali was a more sluggish boxer, with lesser handspeed & diminished footwork. His petrol tank also appeared to have weakened. Further contrasted against the Ali of 1964, he appeared to have a definitively stronger chin, & better all-round punch resistance. He was, for mine, the smarter fighter --- more measured & intelligent, & just generally more versatile. This Ali faced, largely, stronger opposition across the board than his younger self to boot.

Who, in your eyes, met the better Ali --- Liston in '64, or Foreman in '74?

You know what this is tough...both Ali's had their vunerabilities and
strengths.

The young Ali was brash, got away with so much because his size,
speed and foot work allowed him those mistakes.

The older 1974 Ali had better timing, experience and was in many
ways more patient, he also had an ability to absorb punishment
and recover from hard shots which allowed him to be lazy at times
and soak up hits.

I think both guys...while the same man pose dfferng threats.

IMO 70's Ali was more tested. Didn't look as flash but was the better fighter...

Liston was tailor made for 64 Ali and Forman was tailor made for 74 Ali... At least that's how it seems to me.

Liston would have had more success against 74 Ali than 64 Ali; and Foreman would have done better against 64 Ali than 74 Ali...

Of course the talent that Ali was could simply make it seem that way.