How good a boxer was Muhammad Ali?

by LoveUniHateExams 32 Replies latest social physical

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  LoveUniHateExams

  When I was a hyperactive kid, I used to like boxing, and of course Muhammad Ali. He was a great athlete, with a one-of-a-kind style who made a stand for his beliefs.

  Now that I'm older, I admire athletes that are quieter and get on with the job in hand - Joe Frazier, for example.

  I'd like to put American racial politics and Ali's tragic current condition to one side and focus on the following:

  How good a fighter was Ali?

  As a boxer, what were his strengths and flaws?

  How have you scored his fights (they're all on youtube)?
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  Gregor

  I watched or listened to all of Ali's fights. He was an exceptionally skilled boxer. But if he had been a contemporary of Mike Tyson at his peak, he would have met his match.
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  LoveUniHateExams

  You might have a point, Gregor.

  Ali had tremendous speed and a fair amount of skill but a prime Tyson (c.1988) was a machine that specialised in destroying skillful boxers.

  That would've been a great match up.
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  blondie

  Of course, Muhammad Ali was not biting his opponents' ears right? That was a new technique introduced by Tyson.
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  keyser soze

  But if he had been a contemporary of Mike Tyson at his peak, he would have met his match.

  Maybe. It would have been great to see a fight of such contrasting styles. But Tyson never fought anyone who was close to Ali's caliber. Holmes was well past his prime when Tyson beat him. And the first time he fought someone who wasn't afraid of him, he lost. But Tyson at his peak, under Cus D'Amato, was ferocious.
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  minimus

  I can't believe you think Tyson would have Ali. Ali was the best heavyweight. Joe Louis was right up there too. Joe Frazier was a helluva fighter and Ali beat him senseless their last two fights. He was the smartest fighter in the ring.
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  designs

  Amazing skills. Ali v Foreman was one for the history books.
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  sir82

  Boxer vs. puncher.

  If Ali stayed out of range of Tyson for a round or 2, he'd thoroughly pummel him in rounds 3 - 12 (or whenever Tyson finally fell over). And Ali would have been smart enough to so just that.
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  AlphaMan

  I've seen both Ali and Tyson fight. Ali would stay away from Tyson's power all the time jabbing and wearing him down. Ali would also frustrate a fighter like Tyson to get them to make mistakes. An in his prime Ali is the winner and greatest heavy weight boxing champion.
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  Gregor

  Tyson's ear biting episode was after he was well on his way down.

  As I have grown older I have lost interest in boxing and that is partly because of the Tyson sleazy train wreck.