Muhammed Ali: Did he miss his prime years?

[NorthSideX4]

When Ali was stripped of his belts & boxing license for not serving in the armed forces, did he lose his prime years & did we not really see the best of what Ali had to offer? What do you think?

[undefeated]

yes--he was stripped of his title just about when he was gonna start reaching his prime--woulda been prime when he faced joe at 29--but never got 2 reach his prime

[Kev]

Wander how good he could have been if it wasn't for that.

Just think though, if he hadn't been banned then Joe Frazier may have never become champ and we would have missed out on some of the greatest fights in boxing history.

[VictorCharlie]

I think there is no question we missed out on Ali's best years. I think there was no question that his lightning speed and amazing reflexes were diminished, relatively speaking that is, when he came back. I've always wondered why he didn't just fight outside of the US during those years.

[Kev]

I think there is no question we missed out on Ali's best years. I think there was no question that his lightning speed and amazing reflexes were diminished, relatively speaking that is, when he came back. I've always wondered why he didn't just fight outside of the US during those years.

Well being American he probably wasn't aware that there were other countries out there :P

Maybe thats why he was scared of going to Vietnam, in case it didn't exist and his ship would crash off the edge of the world 100 miles off shore from the states.

[drgoodlooking]

I think there is no question we missed out on Ali's best years. I think there was no question that his lightning speed and amazing reflexes were diminished, relatively speaking that is, when he came back. I've always wondered why he didn't just fight outside of the US during those years.

I think there is no question we missed out on Ali's best years. I think there was no question that his lightning speed and amazing reflexes were diminished, relatively speaking that is, when he came back. I've always wondered why he didn't just fight outside of the US during those years.

Well being American he probably wasn't aware that there were other countries out there :P

Maybe thats why he was scared of going to Vietnam, in case it didn't exist and his ship would crash off the edge of the world 100 miles off shore from the states.

Ali was scared of airplanes.

[Galaxy]

Ali was never stripped of his Ring world title until he announced his retirement, clearing the way for Frazier & Ellis to fight for the vacant title. But definately he lost his best years during that period, just imagine how much we missed out on. Ali is aguably the greatest heavyweight ever but just imagine just much more we would have seen in those 4 years

[TheBESTP4P]

I think there is no question we missed out on Ali's best years. I think there was no question that his lightning speed and amazing reflexes were diminished, relatively speaking that is, when he came back. I've always wondered why he didn't just fight outside of the US during those years.

I think there is no question we missed out on Ali's best years. I think there was no question that his lightning speed and amazing reflexes were diminished, relatively speaking that is, when he came back. I've always wondered why he didn't just fight outside of the US during those years.

Well being American he probably wasn't aware that there were other countries out there :P

Maybe thats why he was scared of going to Vietnam, in case it didn't exist and his ship would crash off the edge of the world 100 miles off shore from the states.

Ali was scared of airplanes.

Ali scared of airplanes no he wasnt remember the scene in Rumble in Jungle which is actual footage of him being suprised when he walked into the cockpit to find out his pilot was Black?

other celebs who are deathly afraid to fly: John Madden, R. Kelly, Ritchie Valens

[TheBESTP4P]

that is true tho for the record ALI was robbed of his prime years, so when anyone hates on him or says he's not the Greatest no one can really deny that, cuz it would of always be a mystery just how GREEEEEEEEEAT he could of been. would of defeated smokin joe the first time and we would never see one of the greatest triologies of all time!!!!

[Galaxy]

that is true tho for the record ALI was robbed of his prime years, so when anyone hates on him or says he's not the Greatest no one can really deny that, cuz it would of always be a mystery just how GREEEEEEEEEAT he could of been. would of defeated smokin joe the first time and we would never see one of the greatest triologies of all time!!!!

I agree bro, would have been to good for Frazier without the inforce break. May have even threatened Louis' title steak.

[BrooklyniteQueen]

yes we missed his prime years, but even before and past his prime he had his greatest victories.

[Galaxy]

yes we missed his prime years, but even before and past his prime he had his greatest victories.

Agreed, but its always nice to think about what could have been

[The Whirlwind]

I think we know how good he could have been after seeing the footage of him against fighters like Cleveland 'Big cat' Williams, the awful beating he gave the giant Ernie Terrell etc, before he was stripped of his title. His handspeed was something you just never see in a heavyweight.
Fully extended punches as well, not short arm jabs or hooks.
I remember an interview where a young Joe Bugman talked about how Ali didn't punch hard prior to their first fight, after the fight where he lost a decision he was asked if Ali was soft puncher, he remarked, No, he's not a soft puncher, he punches pretty hard, he's not the hardest puncher I have fought though, the problem is you don't see them coming and then your heads knocked back.

I have to agree with what some of you lads already said about Smokin' Joe, I don't think he would have got a look in if Ali had been allowed to keep his licence. Ali would have fought him earlier as well, before Joe would have had the heart and confidence from being the champ. However as you guys said, Ali could not have achieved his legacy if it wasn't for the lay off and the defeat just three fights into a disgracefully enforced three year lay off.

[SimonH]

He may of lost some of his best years in the ring; but it made him a Great.

From 1967 to 1970 Ali turned from a grade A arse hole into a decent personality and showman, that would become beloved by virtually all. And a man like the Beatles, who for a while was literally bigger than everything or anyone on the planet

[Galaxy]

He may of lost some of his best years in the ring; but it made him a Great.

From 1967 to 1970 Ali turned from a grade A a*** hole into a decent personality and showman, that would become beloved by virtually all. And a man like the Beatles, who for a while was literally bigger than everything or anyone on the planet

Well said bro...