Ali-Wilt Who would have won?

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/15115333.htm

Bernard Fernandez | How Ali-Wilt bout got KO'dIT MIGHT have happened 35 years ago tomorrow.

During a meeting in Houston in the early spring of 1971, former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, basketball standout Wilt Chamberlain and promoter Bob Arum put their heads together to finalize details for a proposed 15-round bout between Ali and Chamberlain that was to occur on July 26, 1971, in the Astrodome.

As boxing novelty acts go, this would have been a lollapalooza: Ali, rightly hailed then and now as one of the finest fighters of all time, against the 7-1 Chamberlain, one of the most astounding athletes ever, whose NBA single-game records of 100 points and 55 rebounds in a game likely will stand forever.

At the time, the matchup seemed like a win-win proposition for all concerned. Ali was not averse to trying something different - witness his "draw" with Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki on June 25, 1976, in Tokyo - and he needed a big-money event to settle some of the monetary issues that arose from his nearly 3-year enforced absence from the ring for refusing induction into the Army. The idea of chopping down so well known a giant as Chamberlain also appealed to Ali's colossal ego.

For the Philadelphia-born Dipper, the idea of a potential conquest of Ali also was intriguing. Chamberlain, then 34, had accomplished about everything he could on a basketball court, and he wanted to establish beyond any doubt that he was the greatest all-around athlete the world had ever seen. Not only was Wilt a top-tier volleyball player, he also had been a standout high jumper at the University of Kansas. The Kansas City Chiefs even inquired about any interest he might have in football, thinking he would be unstoppable as a tight end going after passes lobbed high.

But above all else, Chamberlain wanted to become heavyweight champion, then the most prestigious title in sports. Although he never had boxed, he was convinced his remarkable size, strength and athleticism would enable him to hold his own against Ali. Cus D'Amato - who had guided Floyd Patterson to the heavyweight championship and, before his death in November 1985, took Mike Tyson most of the way toward the summit - thought so, too, and he agreed to train Wilt.

The dream matchup more or less evaporated on March 8, 1971, when Ali was knocked down in the 15th round of his historic first bout with another Philly guy, reigning heavyweight champ Joe Frazier, en route to losing a unanimous decision.

With Ali's loss, Chamberlain could not have fought for the title, which would have significantly reduced his purse. Suddenly, the win-win plan looked less appealing to Chamberlain, who opted to extend his contract with the Los Angeles Lakers for a significant pay hike.