Why didn't more fighters make Ali fight on the front foot?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by jas, Apr 29, 2014.


  1. jas

    jas ★ Legends: B-HOP ; PAC ★ Full Member

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    Ali preferred when he was fighting on the back foot :think
     
  2. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Good question.

    He almost looked confused on the front foot.

    Iguess that making him do it was easier said than done.
     
  3. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    Tell me how you beat Ali by backpedalling because I don't see it. ?
     
  4. jas

    jas ★ Legends: B-HOP ; PAC ★ Full Member

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  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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  6. jas

    jas ★ Legends: B-HOP ; PAC ★ Full Member

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    I almost mentioned in my post "Ali was not in his prime"
     
  7. OvidsExile

    OvidsExile At a minimum, a huckleberry over your persimmon. Full Member

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    I've often thought the same about Mayweather. People think that the key to beating him is through swarming, but I think you might get some really good results by hanging back and letting him do all the offense.
     
  8. jas

    jas ★ Legends: B-HOP ; PAC ★ Full Member

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    McVey does bring up a good point about Ali not being in his prime.

    When you walk your opponent down you are more susceptible to getting hit e.g. Mosley catching Floyd in round 2 but if you have the reflexes and are quick enough in the exchanges you can be effective. Mayweather showed this vs Canelo, Ortiz and Mosley amongst others .
     
  9. timmers612

    timmers612 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    When Ali was in very good shape he could box more off "the front foot", like in the Al "Blue" Lewis and Earnie Terrell bouts. Later though he often wasn't physically sharp enough to pull it off. The Young and Evangilistica bouts looked like he trained on ice cream so you can throw those out as examples.
     
  10. KO KIDD

    KO KIDD Loyal Member Full Member

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    I always wanted to see a negative guy like Cory Spinks stink it out vs Floyd to see what Floyd would do and if a guy so defensive and pretty mobile could make it close


    my bet is that Floyd would win wide on points but Spinks wouldnt get his ass kicked by counters but wouldnt bring enough on offense to trouble Floyd

    kinda like the Canelo fight, Canelo remained patient and fought a tight fight never pressured or really opened up on offense but then again never came close to winning more than 1 or 2 rounds
     
  11. AREA 53

    AREA 53 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ali had to against Joe Bugner - Twice - i think Ali tended to get easily bored if there was no real threat attached, A cobwebb Shedder until the more serious business camw along.
     
  12. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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  13. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Maybe a billy conn or Ezzard Charles?
     
  14. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ali was pretty effective on the front foot in the two Joe Bugner fights too.
     
  15. guilalah

    guilalah Well-Known Member Full Member

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    After the Zora Foley defense was over I think Ali said Foley was the smartest guy he'd faced so far because he would chase Ali.