Not to take anything away from the great Smokin' Joe.... but these guys were both dead tired toward the end of the fight. Also, remember Ali's penchant for leaning way back to avoid the hooks. Not saying he was off balance, because Joe's hook landed flush.... but IMO Cooper's hook was a lot more damaging.


Also, Ali bounced up almost immediately from Frazier's hook.... almost embarrassed to have been caught at that crucial moment in the fight. Against Cooper, Ali was completely dazed, and in danger of not making it out of the round.