Would Ali have won a second fight against Foreman?

Question

I think George Foreman is the most formidable fighters I ever seen. I don't know why it was not a second fight between these two, but I find it hard to belive that Ali would have beaten him on American soil

Answer 1

Good question George was never the same after that fight, but then again neither was Ali. I've never thought about it before but I kinda think George would have taken him the second time.(who could stand that kinda punishment twice!)

Answer 2

Overall, Ali had Forman's number. He beat Forman and would have done so more decisively had the fight taken place on it's original date. The fight was postponed 8 weeks due to a cut suffered in training by Forman.

The outcome of a rematch would have depended on how soon, rather than where, the fight took place. American soil had little to do with this. Ali had a big advantage in Zaire because he was a master at using his surroundings to his advantage. It's like almost any one-on-one fight. The winner is often determined by the environment.

Ali would find a way to use every intangiable to his advantage. He was a master at psychological warfare. For this same reason, Ali, (pre and post exile) would have beaten Tyson. He would turn it into a "Hero vs Villain" event, and then decide wheather the public should root for the hero or the villain, and THEN decide which he will be, the hero or the villian.

As a Self-Promoter, Ali was THAT good.

Ali was also a master at picking apart an opponent's weaknesses. I can tell you how Joe Frazier could have beaten George Forman. People think "Any" Forman-type would beat "Any" Frazier-type. George beats Joe every time because of Frazier's thinking as much as his style. Frazier had better stamina than Forman had patience.

Get Joe past 5 rounds and he beats George because he makes him spend himself. As great as Eddie Futch was, he was unable to make Joe "THINK" in the way needed to beat Forman.

Forman beat himself against Jimmy Young. Some say Young had Forman's number. However, had Ali not done it first, NO ONE in that era would have done it. It wasn't what Jimmy DID. It was a combination of what Ali did and what Forman DID NOT do. "Pre-Ali" Forman takes Young out in 5. "Post-Ali" Forman was psychologically damaged.

Only if Ali waited too long he might not win this one. He took a terrible physical beating. It would depend on Ali's desire to go through that again or Forman's psychological healing process.

An untrained Ali still had enough to dig in the tank and "OUTLAST" Joe Frazier in 1975. It was Ali's "dripping water" that chipped away at Frazier's "rock". NO TWO HEAVYWEIGHTS BROUGHT OUT MORE IN EACH OTHER.

The difference is that Ali could get up for others as well. Frazier never had it for anyone else. He's perhaps, the biggest reason Ali is ranked as high as he is. However, Ali is the ONLY reason Frazier is ranked as high as he is.

Speed and timing are the first thing a boxer loses. Power and endurance are the last. For this reason, Ali wins if the fight takes place before the end of 1975. Forman would be at a huge disadvantage, psychologically but only against Ali. After 1976, it's pick-em.

TROY!

Answer 3

In 1977 there was a Heavyweight elimination bout (to determine Ali's next opponent) fought in San Juan, Puerto Rico between Jimmy Young and Foreman. Young knocked down Foreman in the 12th and won a unanimous decision. If Foreman couldn't beat Young who was a slick boxer, with quite frankly no punching power, what would make me think he could beat Ali in a rematch.
Note: Ali fought the majority of his fights in the U.S., why would American soil make a difference?

Answer 4

Ali was past his prime when he fought Foreman. The beatings he took up to and including the Foreman fight would have made him more vulnerable. I agree with you that he would have been unlikely to win against Foreman on Amercian soil after the rumble in the Jungle, but that was only because of his age and his declining strength. Remember the fights he had against Frazer - the man never quit.

Answer 5

Ali would beat Foreman every time they fought. Styles make fights, and Ali had the perfect style to beat George, speed, movement, defense, ring smarts, and a good chin. Even when Foreman hit Ali, he never hurt him. It's all about styles.

Answer 6

Ali would probably win by decision. Let us look at another point that nobody ever brings up, Foreman's brain trust/corner failed him during the fight. How many fights did Dundee win for Ali, Leonard and many other fighters.

Answer 7

Foreman would have knocked Out Ali if they have a rematch.

Ali was the greatest heavyweight of all time, but if they have the rematch he must have been a shell of himself in the Second fight.

Answer 8

yes. Look at the speed that ali had compared to foreman. Ali ran everyday lol. I mean now if they were fighting as old and messed up as they are, foreman would knock him out.

Answer 9

Hard to answer. George is a great fighter. But Ali is the best of the best. I think Ali would have worn him out and then took him down!

Answer 10

Ali could have beaten him bad if he still had what he did back in the 70's. It would be hard to say since Ali lost alot of his ability due to age. Ali was the greatest fighter in the world in his time.Good question .I would say 50/50