Why did Ali get so bloated?

I've thought about this too. When he really did get into shape he still looked good (the two first fights with Frazier, the rematches with Quarry and Norton), so I wonder how much had to with discipline. From 12-25 all he did was train really, then during the exile his lifestyle changed, and maybe it was hard to get back the same discipline. Dundee said that he always worked hard, though. But if you look at his first and second fight with Norton it's easy to see the difference hard training did.

After Manilla his body detoriated and he started getting old. No amount of training could really remedy that.

 

Ali always had a huge appetite: in 1964 he bloated up to 231 lbs, 20 pounds over what he was getting into the ring at. Then, when you're spending as much time fighting the man as your sparring partner, you will inevitably put on a bit of weight. That said, in 1971, I think he was in better overall physical shape than in the 1960s, considering how much muscle he had.

It wasn't until after the Rumble that Ali started to come into the ring in disappointing shape. Once you've got to the top of the hill, it takes a lot of discipline to keep running on the spot.

 

No, it had nothing to do with the layoff. Metabolism slows down past the age of 30 for all men (women too), and if you combine that with the fact Ali thought he was unbeatable and straight-out lazy at times, you end up with a fat Ali.

 

Before the Norton rematch, Ali said that, considering he "hated" to train, for once he had trained properly for a fight. It showed.

Holmes said in Dinner with the Champs that Ali could have been an even better fighter had he trained for fights properly. And he said it in the context of the run-up to Foreman in Zaire!

Considering Ali began boxing at 12, he must have been sick of the discipline, and he said as much after Berbick when asked what he would miss about boxing: "Not a thing. I've been doing it since I was 12. It's a pleasure and joy to know it's over."

The pure rush of youthful athleticism propelled Ali's first career, along with idealism. And it showed in that uniquely special specimen that stopped Williams.

Upon his return, idealism increasingly became Ali's motivation. "Fightin' poverty, fightin' injustice, fightin' dope." But more and more he relied on experience and mystique, cutting corners as much as he could get away with, as so many once they've arrived. The proof was in the pudding in his waist.

 

Ali would let his weight get WAY up and then work his ass off to get it back down. The onset of the Parkinsons and taking thyroid medication to get his weight down took a toll on his body. His strength was sapped for his last few fights.

 

Holyfield's roids kept him in shape.

 

I think it is worth pointing out that even the peak version of Ali in '66-67 was not particularly 'cut.'

He had the supple, loose musculature that comes with great natural athleticism, rather than a 'Holyfield' bodybuilders-type physique.

He was lean for Williams, but even then his midsection was not as trim as many boxers I have seen.

As for the 70s incarnation. For me, it is plain and simple. He did not train hard enough - I think he skimped on roadwork.

 

I saw Ali-Norton II the other day, and Norton's physique was just tremendous. I mean, no one looked as ripped back then, not even in the lighter divisions. Do anyone know how he came to look like that, because he was in a class of his own when that was concerned? He must have lifted weights, right? But that wasn't common in boxing back in those days.

 

Exactly

 

Norton's stated he was never a serious lifter.

 

Ali is also taking medication -probably plenty of it every day to keep his Parkinson's symptons somewhat controllable. Many of these medications make the patient retain water. That would explain the "bloat" but not the "belly".

 

I think Norton has a naturally good physique, just like Evander. At 190, Holyfield wasn't as bulky as he is now, but his body was still godlike.

 

He slacked in training.

 

Genetics, bad diet, not enough exercise.