Thread: What if Ali was never exiled?

What if Ali didn't get banned from boxing? Or, alternatively, what if Ali didn't get drafted at all? How would things have been different?

I dont think Frazier would have become champ.

I definitely believe we missed his best years, but it's hard to imagine how much more of an icon he could've become. I mean, the effect this Man had despite the fact that he has virtually been out of the public limelight for the last 20 or 30 years is incredible.
This is gonna sound crazy , but he could've wiped the HW Division out, become even bigger and who knows , maybe even the first Black President!
Or, he could've imploded, and it could've all gone tits up, got caught up in some Career damaging scandal.
Mind you, we also had an era where the good got shot or killed by the evil. Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II , John Lennon.
We'll never know, but what we do know is that was and always would have been a very,very, special man.

I've always said that Frazier wouldn't have been nearly as relevant. Ali would have wiped out everyone for about the next 5 years and would have been hands down the best HW ever.

I still think Joe Frasier would have been a rival for Ali and they may have still fought 3 times.

Ali would have had a shorter career which may have resulted in him retiring after Foreman 9or soon after) and living a life with out the Parkinson disease.

I think Ali behavior in and outside the ring after the exile was hugely driven by the inner bitter caused by the exile. He acted like "I deserved to be the greatest, but look what these bitches did to me" = pride. All his rubbish quotes such as "he who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life" are products of all these. Pretty much like Steve Jobs

Anyway, if he did not get into the exile, he would die at 54 from throat cancer instead of Parkinson disease at 74. Still beats Kimbo though

Originally Posted by powerpuncher

I've always said that Frazier wouldn't have been nearly as relevant. Ali would have wiped out everyone for about the next 5 years and would have been hands down the best HW ever.

The crazy thing is if it played out this way Ali would have a better record against the same opposition but be thought of in a less glowing light. People love a story of overcoming. We love heart. If Ali had won all on skill there would be more of a what if question. As is we know the man would go to hell and back to win. We know his fortitude. As is we only wonder what we missed, his legacy is secure.

Originally Posted by Ron Swanson

Originally Posted by powerpuncher

I've always said that Frazier wouldn't have been nearly as relevant. Ali would have wiped out everyone for about the next 5 years and would have been hands down the best HW ever.

The crazy thing is if it played out this way Ali would have a better record against the same opposition but be thought of in a less glowing light. People love a story of overcoming. We love heart. If Ali had won all on skill there would be more of a what if question. As is we know the man would go to hell and back to win. We know his fortitude. As is we only wonder what we missed, his legacy is secure.

I agree. It's weird because Ali would have had a better career but wouldn't have had the controversy surrounding it. I think the exile may have helped Ali in some ways become a bigger star because of his out of the ring antics.

Same in an odd way Mike Tysons 4 years out helped his notoriety and revenue generating ability.

Now too with David Haye

Ali/Frazier would have occurred in 1969 or 70 at the very latest.

He also would have been able to fatten his title defense total against the likes of Jimmy Ellis, Bonavena, and Buster Mathis.

I think Norton (w/Futch) would still give Ali a tough fight and Ali would underestimate him to a degree just as he did when they actually fought.

The irony is we would have ended up with a "Rumble in the Jungle" regardless. The big difference is Foreman would be challenging a 9-10 year title reigning Ali.