Dannell Nicholson Tried To Be a Poor Man's Muhammad Ali

He did, and I think it's sad. He even copied Ali's flaws, like fighting with your hands down and leaning back to avoid incoming punches rather than blocking. It cost him here against Tua, because in the 5th round, Nicholson leaned back to avoid the jab, but the following left hook caught him flush. Dancing against the ropes with your hands down is just plain foolery. To me, he looks like an Ali impersonator who lacks the skills, quick hands, and iron chin of the real thing. This is one of Tua's most devastating knockouts, btw.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dASi84Pdh6I[/ame]

 

I guess it's fair to say that fighting like Ali while possessing none of Ali's talents is not a very good idea against a puncher like David Tua. Believe it or not, Tua was once again behind on points against Nicholson until catching him what he later called a "lucky punch".

 

The list of fighters mimicking Ali in his wake is long.

 

I get sick of fighters who copy Ali. You can tell that Lennox Lewis and Larry Holmes took adapted a few things from Ali's style, but they weren't trying to be identical copycats. Aye-Carumba. Nicholson even adapted Ali's arrogant sneer.

 

Michael Nunn is another guy that took alot from Ali's style but was successful with it.

 

He and about 1200 other heavyweights tried this.

Newsflash!

 

Tried and failed. Nicholson's hopes of being the next Ali went crashing down with him when he got caught with those left hooks.

Why hasn't anyone tried to copy someone like Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson or Evander Holyfield? Everybody wants to be another Ali. I don't get it.

 

Like what? Being black?

 

You're cute.

He always said Ali was his idol. He used his jab and fought from the distance. (like Ali) He also danced sometimes, but it was some horrible reggae shoulder thrust rather than a fleet footed shuffle.

 

True. Lennox was n't really built for fleet footed shuffling

 

If it makes you feel better I try to fight a bit like Harold Johnson.

 

Larry Donald reciting "I'm gonna knock out Evander" poetry at the Olympics.

Many kids don't see it, but there really was a day when athletes learned the game BEFORE they learned how to talk trash. Now it's the other way.

I've always likened Ali to Jimi Hendrix. Both were the best and the worst things to ever happen to their respective professions and for the same reasons.

 

Great answer:good. I would come to one of your fights just on principle.

 

sort of reminds me of how jose luis gonzalez fought his whole career

 

It does make me feel better, actually. I don't care if someone tries to fight like Cliff Couser. Anyone but Ali. Nicholson took the impersonation too far.