Muhammad Ali. How great was he?

[Willie Pep 229]

https://www.ringtv.com/videos/video-...hat-never-was/


Why didn't Ali fight him? They wasn't a purse offered for him to do it.

What does this article have to do with Ali fighting Stevenson?

There is only one line about the proposed fight.

". . . matchup between the two men was the grail of boxing in the 1970s . . ."

That's all that's mentioned.

If you look harder you will find primary newspaper information about offers made, refusals, and counter offers. At one point even Fidel had an opinion.

It was quite the buzz for a few years but never got past the three day news cycle a few different times.

I vaguely remember Castro making one counter offer where the Cubans would put aside the amateur restriction and let Ali fight Stevenson in Cuba under Olympic rules.

The Cold War was still too hot to pull off the fight. Fidel was holding to his "boxing is exploitation" rhetoric, how communists don't exploit the worker bees, Etc.

Read the newspaper histories, it's there, not some 60 years later, secondary source, retro article.

[Dr. Z]

... If I was even pretending like I knew the answer to what I asked I would understand why you are asking me for more information, but my question was not rhetorical.

Well. I am sure Ali got paid money to do it, so he did in a way fight him for two short rounds. IMO he would have been in trouble in a longer fight than two rounds ( They were not even 3 minute rounds ) and could not keep the faster handed and more powerful puncher off him.

[Dr. Z]

What does this article have to do with Ali fighting Stevenson?

There is only one line about the proposed fight.

". . . matchup between the two men was the grail of boxing in the 1970s . . ."

That's all that's mentioned.

If you look harder you will find primary newspaper information about offers made, refusals, and counter offers. At one point even Fidel had an opinion.

It was quite the buzz for a few years but never got past the three day news cycle a few different times.

I vaguely remember Castro making one counter offer where the Cubans would put aside the amateur restriction and let Ali fight Stevenson in Cuba under Olympic rules.

The Cold War was still too hot to pull off the fight. Fidel was holding to his "boxing is exploitation" rhetoric, how communists don't exploit the worker bees, Etc.

Read the newspaper histories, it's there, not some 60 years later, secondary source, retro article.

Ali did not fight Stevenson. But there was talk and interest of a potential match for sure.

[The Defecator]

And he did not fight any Eastern Europeans ( Soviets )

Why would he sink to the level of fighting the literal dregs of the boxing world?

[Dr. Z]

Why would he sink to the level of fighting the literal dregs of the boxing world?

Ali conveniently avoided them. The Cuban and X Soviet's have been on top since they went pro is 1995. Ali did not fight them this group or any of the black english fighters which pretty much sums up the champions since 1995 and the point of this thread.

Instead Ali, officially lost five times and should have officially lost two more times, not to mention numerous close calls in his pre-prime, prime and post prime. I chronicled some this of in this thread.

Not so bad work, right?

If you want to check out who the best heavyweight prospects are in 2024 as I define as un-defeated, non champions check out my new top 20 heavyweight prospect thread.

It not a bad review if I can say so myself.

[Ivich]

Ali conveniently avoided them. The Cuban and X Soviet's have been on top since they went pro is 1995. Ali did not fight them this group or any of the black english fighters which pretty much sums up the champions since 1995 and the point of this thread.

Instead Ali, officially lost five times and should have officially lost two more times, not to mention numerous close calls in his pre-prime, prime and post prime. I chronicled some this of in this thread.

Not so bad work, right?

If you want to check out who the best heavyweight prospects are in 2024 as I define as un-defeated, non champions check out my new top 20 heavyweight prospect thread.

It not a bad review if I can say so myself.

If you are the professional heavyweight boxing champion .how can you,"conveniently avoid," fighting an amateur boxer?
You're not dealing with a full deck!

[Dr. Z]

If you are the professional heavyweight boxing champion .how can you,"conveniently avoid," fighting an amateur boxer?
You're not dealing with a full deck!

I am not a promoter in the 1970's, but riddle me with this. Why did Jack Johnson not defend his title vs Sam Langford, Joe Jeannette, and Sam McVey in 1909-1915? There were offers in the press of 30-100k! But Johnson avoided these guys. Why?

At least Ali has a financial excuse as back then no X soviets or Cubans turned pro. Judging by the exhibition matches in 1978 vs. the Russians, he'd would have his hands full or lose.

[mrbig1]

If you are the professional heavyweight boxing champion .how can you,"conveniently avoid," fighting an amateur boxer?
You're not dealing with a full deck!

the word Ali and avoid do not go together. Ali would fight a tiger if the price was right.

[QueensburyRules]

the word Ali and avoid do not go together. Ali would fight a tiger if the price was right.

- - Ducked the rematch of Big George for a record purse as recorded in Nov 1974 Playboy article. Then he completely nailed down his duck during George's 5 man exhibition where Ali publicly shames himself had he been a typically honorable person then. He wasn't shamed though, he was shameless just like his bigmouthed wannabe Tyson Fury is today.

[Ivich]

I am not a promoter in the 1970's, but riddle me with this. Why did Jack Johnson not defend his title vs Sam Langford, Joe Jeannette, and Sam McVey in 1909-1915? There were offers in the press of 30-100k! But Johnson avoided these guys. Why?

At least Ali has a financial excuse as back then no X soviets or Cubans turned pro. Judging by the exhibition matches in 1978 vs. the Russians, he'd would have his hands full or lose.

Produce these offers of $30/100k that Johnson turned down to defend against any of the trio,and please, no newspaper talk.

Lets have venues, purses ,dates , and promoters. I have only been asking you for precisely this information for a dozen years or more ! How would Ali lose an exhibition match?
How exactly would that work?