Sorry jbird and Iceman..
I don't follow what you are tying to say.
that Ali lost his prime during the time he was out of boxing?
1967 -1970?
He was born in 42 so he was 25-28 years old then
Not the usual prime for a heavyweight, who usually mature later.
Soon after his return and 2 fights he face Joe frazier in 1971 and lost.
He lost to frazier at age 29
Lost to Norton at age 31
Spinks age 35
Holmes age 38
Berbick age 39

Maybe he hit a few peak primes in between all those losses?
I dunno!?


Someone questioned why Ali was called a racist.

Absolutley opinions, feelings and beliefs in the usa and the world were (and do a degree still are) racist against black people

People were against integration and felt that they should not be forced to integrate. they felt that integration with blacks was wrong. And openly stated that they did not want to live with black people.

Inter racial dating was frowned upon and marraige was discouraged in many bigotted white families. Of course now we see these ideas as they really are, ignorant and biggoted. Was Ali excempt from misguided ideologies of the time?

Here's 2 of his quotes

For example, Ali once stated, in relation to integration:

“ We who follow the teachings of Elijah Muhammad don't want to be forced to integrate. Integration is wrong. We don't want to live with the white man ”
And in relation to inter-racial marriage:

“ No intelligent black man or black woman in his or her right black mind wants white boys and white girls coming to their homes to marry their black sons and daughters."

So in some ways it could be said that Ali was as ignorent and racist as the next guy. A saint? hero? martyr? Civil rights leader? Peace maker? I don't see him that way. but thats just MO
Let's stick to what he accomplished in the ring. And keep the facts straight.
Thats all i was trying to do.

IMO... great fighter, even greater fights. Great fights because he fought guys that were VERY evenly matched with him. Styles make fights and in Ali's case that was very true.