When Ali & Frazier met for the 1st time?

Question

Would the result have been different if Ali didn't have to stay out of boxing for 3 years because of his refusal to go to Vietnam? I think Ali would have won the same way he did in the two rematches!!! What do you think?

Answer 1

No question the three year plus layoff hurt Ali, but Joe was no slouch and a true champion in his own right. I tend to agree that Ali had much better ability to adjust to an opponent than most, and the subsequent fights would have still went Ali's way. I think had Ali treated Frazier with a little more respect, he would have had an easier time with Joe in all three fights. Ali offended Joe, and that offense increased Joe's already potent attack, actually elevated Joe's performances against Ali more than it otherwise would have done. Usally when Ali insulted and irritated an opponent, it caused the opponent to make mistakes Ali could capotilize on, it worked in the opposite direction with Joe, and Frazier got better without being distracted by the antics and insults he suffered at Ali's hands outside the ring.

Joe used the insult, fed off it and channeled a rightous anger right back at Ali, and the result was the single greatest rivalry in sports history. The historical time frame just elevated it further, and we were lucky enough to experience it.

Ali spoke for a lot of people whose voices were ignored by the powers that be when he refused to go to Vietnam. As sad as it seems, today with Iraq, those voices go for the most part unheard and ignored. History will eventually put today's war in proper perspective, but their will always be argument, it is the nature of such circumstance.

Answer 2

Well i bet this is going to upset some people but here goes...many of the fights in the Ali era are and were fights that were fixed in many cases. That is something that was greatly unfortunate. But to answer your question lets say that Joe Frazier was a fighter that was really born in the wrong era. He was held back many times and because of money its incredible what some will do. I rememeber the rematchs and in 1 Frazier was definately the winner , but because of his great people abilities Ali was given the win. He was at his time the fighter everyone wanted to see lose because of his bragging. But he could back up almost anything he said and was a once in a lifetime boxer.
Ali's greatness was not only his abilities but his manager don't let anyone fool you. Without the right manager you are lost. I was deeply upset when Ali refused to fight in the Vietnam war being a veteran of the same war myself. But he was a showman, Frazier was a brawler and in many ways as good a fighter as Ali. He was just not the people person Ali was. He wasn't as flamboyant, he just went in to get the work done. Thus he was not the crowd puller Ali was. Ali was used alot in his time because of his personality. And suffered the rest of his life for his misgivings.

Answer 3

I disagree. Frazier had the perfect style to exploit Ali's flaws. That first fight wasn't even as close as the scorecards - Frazier whiped Ali out! I think Frazier beats him even worse if they fight 3 years earlier. Ali's larger size and more power made it harder for Frazier to beat him in the post draft-dodging era. Ali made some further adjustments in the later fights that were VERY close, but also, Frazier was not quite the same guy after Foreman almost killed him either.

Answer 4

Personally, I think Ali would have won, but it still would've been a nail biter.Frazier style was made to give Ali fits.

Answer 5

monday march 8 1971 madison square garden new york city, new york joe fraizer w15 muhummad ali, if not for the 3 year layoff ali who have easily dominated fraizer.

Answer 6

The layoff deff. hurt him, but that being said. Even great fighters lose. And Frazier just had his number that night. I dont think it woulda mattered. I think Frazier coulda took out anyone that night.

Answer 7

defo ali was the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!