If Ali had More Rounds Under His Belt?

[Bronson66]

If Ali had more rounds of ring action than the 18rds in the last 4 years he actually did have ,would the result against Frazier in FOTC have been different?

[Willie Pep 229]

If Ali had more rounds of ring action than the 18rds in the last 4 years he actually did have ,would the result against Frazier in FOTC have been different?

I don't think so. I thought you and I were on board with the belief that even without the suspension Ali would have found Frazier difficult (except it would have been around 1969, or early 1970, not 1971.

I think Frazier surprises Ali the first fight, every way you look at it. I also think that Ali wins the trilogy everyway you look at it.

Fighters like Frazier age faster.

[them_apples]

If Ali had more rounds of ring action than the 18rds in the last 4 years he actually did have ,would the result against Frazier in FOTC have been different?

Probably not in his comeback. He was sitting down a bit more even at the very end of his first run. Like against Chuvalo. Once Ali broke 210 lbs he no longer had the same mobility.

that being said, he was just straight up
sharper and more energetic in his first run - I don’t think Joe get’s him on the ropes long enough to do the damage he did in the first bout.

I’m also not sure Frazier even won (I won’t argue my case though). The knockdown was great, and he def busted Ali up in a few of those later rounds - but Ali was really slick early on - he nullified a lot of Joes shots with clever riding and baiting. It looks like he connects cause its so fast but it doesn’t always. That being said - def a very hard fight to score. Frazier was also running into shots. They were hitting him high on the head so they didn’t knock him out - but he actually took serious damage in those fights

[Bronson66]

Probably not in his comeback. He was sitting down a bit more even at the very end of his first run. Like against Chuvalo. Once Ali broke 210 lbs he no longer had the same mobility.

that being said, he was just straight up
sharper and more energetic in his first run - I donât think Joe getâs him on the ropes long enough to do the damage he did in the first bout.

Iâm also not sure Frazier even won (I wonât argue my case though). The knockdown was great, and he def busted Ali up in a few of those later rounds - but Ali was really slick early on - he nullified a lot of Joes shots with clever riding and baiting. It looks like he connects cause its so fast but it doesnât always. That being said - def a very hard fight to score. Frazier was also running into shots. They were hitting him high on the head so they didnât knock him out - but he actually took serious damage in those fights

I think Frazier won,but had Ali had a couple more fights I don't think he would have.
That isn't to say Frazier would not always be problematical for him.

[Bronson66]

I don't think so. I thought you and I were on board with the belief that even without the suspension Ali would have found Frazier difficult (except it would have been around 1969, or early 1970, not 1971.

I think Frazier surprises Ali the first fight, every way you look at it. I also think that Ali wins the trilogy everyway you look at it.

Fighters like Frazier age faster.

Frazier would always be difficult ,but with more ring rounds I think Ali 's legs would have allowed him to keep off the ropes for those long periods when he was taking punishment to the belly and hips.

[Willow The Wisp]

What a fight that was. Mecca for me.
Wouldn't go anywhere near trying to chisel that win out of Smokin Joe's hands.

Dig?
Quarry and Bonavena for "tuneups"? Like WW I was a tuneup for WW II?

[QueensburyRules]

If Ali had more rounds of ring action than the 18rds in the last 4 years he actually did have ,would the result against Frazier in FOTC have been different?

- - No. Clearly Joe had Ali's number from day one and combined with Foreman and Wepner were responsible for Ali's ultimate debilitation.