Quote:
Originally Posted by WelshDevilRob
Can't see how anyone could claim that Riddick Bowe could beat the 60's Ali - that is just a foolish statement.
Holmes would have been competitive against Ali but Ali's former sparring partner would not have beaten him.
Ali was at his sparkling best during the 60's and yes he got caught by Henry Cooper but he got up and won in the next round. Also that fight was before Ali became champion.
Ali beat Liston, Chuvalo, Cleveland Williams,Terrell, Paterson and Zora Folley as champion and that is a fine list of opponents.
He was involved in two fights of the year as recognised by 'The Ring' and his career was abruptly put on hold in 1967 - I have no doubt that he would have got better and better if allowed to box out the remaining years of the decade.
Can't see how anyone could claim that Riddick Bowe could beat the 60's Ali - that is just a foolish statement.
No it isn't Ali struggled with much lesser fighters than Bowe, a 100 percent in shape Bowe would give Ali all he could handle.
Holmes would have been competitive against Ali but Ali's former sparring partner would not have beaten him.
He already did beat him ;)
Nah but seriously Holmes could very well beat Ali he had piston left jab, great chin, great stamina, fast hands, good power, Ali has never met anyone who was as skilled as Holmes and vice a versa.
Ali was at his sparkling best during the 60's and yes he got caught by Henry Cooper but he got up and won in the next round. Also that fight was before Ali became champion.
Yes and he had to have smelling salts to revive him when they wern't even allowed in UK at that time i believe so really Ali should of been DQ. and lets not even get started on the torn glove controversy.
Ali beat Liston, Chuvalo, Cleveland Williams,Terrell, Paterson and Zora Folley as champion and that is a fine list of opponents.
Liston was actually almost 40 years old when Ali fought him, Patterson was great at Light Heavyweight etc. But he didn't have the chin at Heavyweight plus he was too small.
Williams was not that good the only thing he was known for before Ali fight was getting sparked out twice by Liston, and going 1-1 with Ernie Terell. Plus he was 33 so he wasn't exactly in his peak.
Chuvalo was tough as nails but he wasn't a great boxer, going into Ali fight his best wins were against Yvon Durelle who was much better at Light Heavyweight, and Doug Jones.
Folley was goodish he beat few good names like Bonavena but lets not forget Bonavena only had 8 pro fights at the time. Plus others like Chuvalo, ETC. but he also went 1-1 with Henry Cooper so that shows you he wasn't exactly elite. Plus he got sparked out by Liston, a 12-1 fighter, and sparked out by Doug Jones, Folley was goodish but thats it.
Terrell bet few good names going into Ali fight and he was on nice win streak but i never thought much of Terrell.
All these fighters are goodish to mediocre none of them were ever really elite. Except for Patterson and Liston of course.