Ali fitter this time, says trainer

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33443, 26 January 1974, Page 48

Ali fitter this time, says trainer

DEER LAKE. (Pennsylvania)

Since losing a decision in their memorable fight nearly three years ago, Muhammad Ali has been much more active than Joe Frazier. That, says Mr A. Dundee, is why Ali will win the return match on Monday.

“Their roles are reversed for this one,” said Mr Dundee, Ali’s trainer for almost all his professional boxing career.

“My guy is the one who’s (been busy, while Frazier is short of competition. Muhammad had only' two fights (in four years when they met I the first time, and he still Iwent 15 rounds.”-

1 All’s inactivity before their first fight oh March 8, 1971, was because of three years and a half of exile from the ring after his refusal to submit to conscription into the United States Army. Since that bout between the undefeated heavyweights in New York, Ali has had 13 fights. He won 12 and lost one to Ken Norton in March last year when he suffered a broken jaw. Ali reversed that result, outpointing Norton in September. FOUR FIGHTS In the same period, Frazier ’ought only four times, including in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 22, when George Foreman took his world title. Foremen overpowered Frazier, knocking

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him down six times, and stopping him in the second round. “The people are going to see a much better Muhammad this time, and another great fight,” said Mr Dundee. “Any time these two guys climb through the ropes, there is going to be a great fight.”

Mr Dundee, at a Press conference at Ali’s training camp near Deer Lake, said that Ali was probably in his best condition for a fight since he won the championship from Sonny Liston 10 years ago. Mr Dundee is still not convinced Ali really lost to Frazier the first time. “I watched a film of that fight the other day, and honestly, I would have scored it 11-3-1 Ali,” he said.

Ali is proud of the train?

ing complex he built at Deer Lake. He delights in showing visitors round the four main buildings—his living quarters, built, of railroad ties, a gymnasium, and two bunkhouses for his relatives, sparring partners and trainers.

All’s entourage includes his father, a sign-writer in Louisville, Kentucky, his mother, his aunt, his assistant trainers, Mr L. Sarria and Mr W. Youngblood, and the "court jester,’’ Mr D. Brown. HOME COOKING His mother and aunt cook, and it seems to agree with Ali. A week before the fight, the former champion reported his weight as about 2111 b—his lightest in years. Mr Dundee said the low poundage was a combination of good food and hard work, j

Ali has used mainly light heavy-weights and middleweights as sparring partners, apparently to concentrate on increasing his speed. Ali completed his training at Deer Lake yesterday, working six rounds with three sparring partners. ALI FAVOURITE Tn Las Vegas, Ali is the favourite to win the fight. Gamblers must put up $9 to win $5 if he wins, while a $5 bet on Frazier will bring $7 if he wins.

In Philadelphia, Frazier apologised for "losing his cool” and scuffling with Ali in New York yesterday. Frazier said he wanted to apologise to the sports announcer, Howard Cosell, for the incident, which occurred while the two boxers were watching a television screeniing of their first fight,