Ali large heavyweights he sparred

He faced all the tall HWs of the era (Terrell, Al Lewis, Lyle, Foreman, Wepner and Bugner), and of them he sparred Terrell (as a young pro), Al Lewis and Lyle.

All these guys were in the 190-195 centimetres range (6'3-6'5), I think, (well, Wepner was actually 196 cm). There weren't any taller HWs (above 196 cm) in contention during those decades. They wouldn't come around until 10-15 years after Ali retired. There were serious discussions of a fight between Ali and Wilt Chamberlain, though, but it never came off.

 

And as for stories: Terrell got the better of their sparring sessions from memory, and Lewis broke one of Ali's ribs. I think Lyle has retold something as well in "Facing Ali". If I'm not mistaken Ali took it easy on him (Lyle was just starting out in the pro's) and was a good sport. Futch had previously refused Lyle sparring time with Frazier, afraid that Joe would hurt Lyle. Frazier didn't hold back in sparring. At least, that's my recollection. Will have to double check.

 

Indeed. I really think It was not until the introduction of modern training and changes to the sport that taller guys could reach their full boxing potential. Those guys were always there. It's just that Everything that went on before prevented giants reaching their potential.

 

Yeah, that's probably part of it. I'd suspect that medium height increased quite a bit in the US during the first couple of post-war decades also. But this effect should have worn off by the mid 90's when giants really started to make a mark. Douglas at 192 cm was considered a big HW when he won the title - just ten years later the big HWs (Lewis and the Klit brothers) were a fair bit taller.

 

I've read that about Futch too.

 

True. You had a lot of guy's who were 6'5" and over but few ever emerged as serious talents. There was a journeyman who fought back then named James Beattie who was around 6'9".

 

That big guy with the Afro Holmes beat.

 

Was it Leroy Jones? yeah he was around 6'5" and well north of 230 lbs. Might have been a solid fighter too if he only got into shape.

 

Cassius Clay struggled with Duke Sabedong, absolutely average except for being 6'6". It was on this trip that he met the wrestler Gorgeous George and developed his 'I'm so pretty' schtick. Unfortunately that translated to his fighting style and he struggled to overcome Duke's height advantage.

 

It was more or less a shutout on the judges' cards:

http://boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Fight:22866

 

Clay was 19 years old with 6 pro fights and still weighing under 200 lbs..

 

And he also won a wide decision. So I'm not sure where he came up with "struggled".

 

A classic Wide World of Sports tape is when Howard Cosell discusses with Wilt and Ali their proposed fight.
Wilt "yard-sticks" Ali with his "102-inch reach (?)", then Ali easily moves inside and fires a blazing fast series of punches around Wilt's head. It was then Wilt probably figured out it is best not to get in the ring with Ali.

 

Apologies. I got that from a book by Don Atyeo which painted a less impressive picture. Should have checked a bit more for myself before going to print. I got found out there.