Who was the best opponent Muhammad Ali faced at the time of their fight?

Foreman beat Ali? In a parallel universe?

 

Ali fought Frazier on Joe’s best night at his peak.

 

This, but a case could be made for Foreman.

 

Probably Holmes.

 

Faced ? Larry Holmes

beat ? George Foreman

shook hands with ? Joe Louis

dreamt about ? I don’t know

 

On paper you could argue either Liston or Frazier. I think Liston hurt his shoulder during the fight, not before (from missing so much).

Both guys steam rolled through the division clearing it out, and then won the title with decisive KOs before they faced Ali.

 

Take your pick between Liston, Foreman, Holmes.

The Holmes fight could have been great had Ali aged like Holmes.

 

Foreman by a whisker for me.

 

The best Muhammad fought was Holmes.

The best Muhammad fought when he was anywhere near (though a little past prime) his best were Frazier and Foreman.

 

isn´t it ironic?
fighting the best opponent you ever fought at his absolute peak,
when you´re at your absolute minimum/bottom?

 

To make it worse on Ali, an opponent who you used to use as a sparring partner, who you no doubt have memories of beating up on.

Sucks.

Larry proved that a pure boxer can remain effective and fight well into their mid 40s. I think he sort of proves that we lost not only what might have been Ali's absolute prime due to his ban, but that we also lost a decade or so of an old man Ali still fighting, probably pulling off some upsets against young up and comers, getting some title shots, etc., to Parkinsons.

 

Joe Frazier was the best Ali fought.

 

Hadn't considered Holmes because of Ali's condition but that's not a bad call.

 

Yes. And for Holmes.