What is most admirable about the Shavers fight was that he wasn't Muhammad Ali the great heavyweight anymore. That fighter died in Manila a few year earlier.
Ali was all heart and determination by that time, taking punches that he wouldn't have taken earlier in his career, looking old and tired where he used to be young and exuberant.
Guys like Leon Spinks, Jimmy Young and Earnie Shavers would have been no match for Ali circa 1973, let alone 1966.
I disagree on Young. Smart awkward fighters are *always* a pain. He would have won more convincingly yes, but no shutouts.
I disagree on Young. Smart awkward fighters are *always* a pain. He would have won more convincingly yes, but no shutouts.
yes young was a "sneaky annoyance", that could have been KO'd if it wasn't for that annoying head movement and coward tactics he used in the Ali fight.
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