MUHAMMAD ALI w/o forced retirement

[undefeated]

ali was just about to start reaching his prime--when the gvt stripped him of his title. if ali had stayed in the ring he would have reached his prime.

would he have been better than SRR ?
i believe a prime ali would have easily destroyed a prime frazier and a prime norton--quarry would have been 1round ko

[Taeth]

I think he did more in his career than Robinson did, but yeah I definitely think he would have gone out ahead of SRR, and he would have been a far better boxer in his 30's and such.

[BrooklyniteQueen]

He would have shattered Marciano's record, thats for sure.

[mokele]

Joe Louis lost 4 years out of his career from 1942 to 1946 so Ali isn't the only great heavyweight to have lost time during his prime years. George Foreman quit when he was at his physical peak, and came back at 37 years old. Nevertheless, the point is well taken in Ali's case. He would probably have won around 10 more bouts and improved greatly had he continued fighting in 1967 through 1970.

[gyrokai]

Joe Louis lost 4 years out of his career from 1942 to 1946 so Ali isn't the only great heavyweight to have lost time during his prime years. George Foreman quit when he was at his physical peak, and came back at 37 years old. Nevertheless, the point is well taken in Ali's case. He would probably have won around 10 more bouts and improved greatly had he continued fighting in 1967 through 1970.

But Louis still fought. In exhibitions. Am I right?

[X]

Joe Louis lost 4 years out of his career from 1942 to 1946 so Ali isn't the only great heavyweight to have lost time during his prime years. George Foreman quit when he was at his physical peak, and came back at 37 years old. Nevertheless, the point is well taken in Ali's case. He would probably have won around 10 more bouts and improved greatly had he continued fighting in 1967 through 1970.

Tyson lost some years when he was in jail as well?

[SimonH]

I never understand this 'Ali would be even better, if he had fought between 67 and 70' argument.

Retiring for three years, was the best thing Ali ever did. It turned grade A arsehole, into one of the most respected and loved people in the world. Them three years gave him the opportunity to reflect on his life and chill out a bit, and probably avoid an assassins bullet as well.

Without that three year retirement, there would probably of been no 'Fight of the Century', no 'Rumble in the Jungle', and no 'Thrilla in Manila'. Are people seriously saying Ali would more appreciated, without them fights?

[sumguy]

Thats interesting......when Ali was out.......the people prob realised what they were missing.

But BritKid i would have to disagree that the time out made him into a better fighter.
The guy basically didnt expect to fight in the ring again.

The time out wasnt good for him physically, his doctor knew that.
Its like when you are working out, you dont feel the pain. But when you stop, is when the body aches.

[SimonH]

Thats interesting......when Ali was out.......the people prob realised what they were missing.

But BritKid i would have to disagree that the time out made him into a better fighter.
The guy basically didnt expect to fight in the ring again.

The time out wasnt good for him physically, his doctor knew that.
Its like when you are working out, you dont feel the pain. But when you stop, is when the body aches.

I suggested he became a better person. IMO if had continued to fight, with the attitude he had, he was heading down the same path that Malcolm X and King trod...

And although he may of missed out on his absolute peak as a fighter, Ali would not be considered the fighter he was without the the 70s. Sure he was seemingly unbeatable in 66/67, but he had redemption in the 70s, a quality that helped him become the biggest phenomenon in the planet at one time. That probably would not of happened if had continued to box between 67 and 70.

[mokele]

Joe Louis lost 4 years out of his career from 1942 to 1946 so Ali isn't the only great heavyweight to have lost time during his prime years. George Foreman quit when he was at his physical peak, and came back at 37 years old. Nevertheless, the point is well taken in Ali's case. He would probably have won around 10 more bouts and improved greatly had he continued fighting in 1967 through 1970.

Tyson lost some years when he was in jail as well?

Of course. It's amazing all the different reasons that some of the all time great heavyweights lost years off of their careers. Joe Louis went into the armed services, Ali was disqualified due to his stance against the war in Vietnam, Foreman quit for almost 10 years and Tyson lost 4 years because of a rape conviction. They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and in this case it sort of is.

[LBSCFC]

would be very interesting to see what happened 67-70. i was watching alis final defence against folley on tape and they were talking about facing bonavena in japan straight after the fight

[The_One77]

Thats interesting......when Ali was out.......the people prob realised what they were missing.

But BritKid i would have to disagree that the time out made him into a better fighter.
The guy basically didnt expect to fight in the ring again.

The time out wasnt good for him physically, his doctor knew that.
Its like when you are working out, you dont feel the pain. But when you stop, is when the body aches.

I suggested he became a better person. IMO if had continued to fight, with the attitude he had, he was heading down the same path that Malcolm X and King trod...

And although he may of missed out on his absolute peak as a fighter, Ali would not be considered the fighter he was without the the 70s. Sure he was seemingly unbeatable in 66/67, but he had redemption in the 70s, a quality that helped him become the biggest phenomenon in the planet at one time. That probably would not of happened if had continued to box between 67 and 70.

thats a good point Britkid made there, because had he not retired Ali-Foreman would of not been as big a upset as it was because Ali would of probably been champion then.
Anyway, maybe that layoff was good because it gave Ali's body a rest...it could of been had he kept fighting, he would of had more ware and tare on his body and by the time he would of fought someone like George Foreman he would of been shot thus losing. He was 32 by then, so that layoff could of done some good.