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Was Muhammad Ali really the best
Was Muhammad Ali really the best heavyweight ever to step in the ring, he told us he was and many would mention him as the best without really seeing a lot of his fights, he lost a lot of his prime due to his battle with government about not doing his national service, and going out to fight in the war. He was involved in a number of thrilling fights but a lot could have gone the other way, during his career he was not really regarded as the best, he probably did more for the sport than any other fighter and was one of the best of his era but was he really the best ever? If some of the following fights had gone the other way do you think he still would have been regarded as the best.
The first question mark on his ability was in 1963, he went down heavily to a big hook from Henry Cooper and was saved by the bell, then miraculously his corner discovered that his glove had been cut or torn, and a replacement was fitted giving Ali the necessary time to recover, this is a very rare incident and an amazing coincidence that it happen as Ali stared his first defeat in the face.
In 1967 saw Ali out of the ring for 3 years, many think he jumped straight back in the ring with Joe Frazier in 1970 and the reason he lost was due to severe ring rust, however he actually had 2 fights in the come back before facing Frazier (Quarry 3rd TKO and Bonevena 15th TKO) so he was actually reasonably well prepared, a fight where he was still considered in his prime but he was soundly beaten by Frazier.
11 fights and wins later over decent but apart from an aging Floyd Patterson not world class opponents he took on Ken Norton and once again he was beaten, the 1st rematch went his way by split decision but many would argue that Norton won that fight as well.
Then came the re-match with Frazier which Ali won, this time it was a reasonably deserved victory. Then came the fight with Foreman, Foreman punched himself out and lost by 8th round KO, Ali came into this fight as the underdog, but pulled off possibly the biggest win of his career.
The 3rd match with Frazier was also a win but many regarded Frazier as this was his last hooray and he never won another fight after this one.
In 1976 Muhammad Ali was surrounded with controversy once again as he stole a close decision once again against Norton and once again many think Norton won that fight.
Ali went on to win his next 2 fights but many believed he was on the slide, the loss to big underdog Leon Spinks confirmed that theory, he avenged the defeat 9 months later but never looked like the same Ali due to early onset of his current illness, a fight with Larry Holmes was a big mistake as Larry was forced to take it easy on the great man and a number of times asked the referee to end the contest as to the amount of punishment he was receiving, Angelo Dundee finally did the deed and pulled Ali out, still he continued to fight on losing to Trevor Berbick on points.
Muhammad Ali will always be remembered for his skill and bravery in the ring and also what he did for the sport but would he have been remembered as the best should a few of the tight decisions gone against him as they maybe should have. How many out there regard him as the best without actually seeing a lot of his fights, having seen almost all of his fights I personally think he was one of the best but maybe not the best.
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Originally Posted by jmbtandy
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