How is it that ali "lost his legs" and declined during the layoff?

Oh I have boxed so I do know.....

 

No. He got into great shape for Norton 2 around 212lbs and Frazier 2. He was not 10lbs overweight. That was right were he had always been.

 

The 70's Ali couldn't move like he did from say, 1963 to 1967. He became a punching bag at time went on...people say,"Boy,
..Ali could sure take a punch!" You think he wanted to? He couldn't get out of the way! Look how he ended up! The man should have retired after the Foreman fight in 1974....

 

Only when Tyson tired.

 

I'd agree that Tyson's style requires more stamina as such, but Tyson's power alters the equation. While post exile Ali more or less punched himself out against Frazier's face in FOTC no one could take such punishment from Tyson and still be standing.

Anyhow, it's a moot point for this discussion. Both lost stamina during their lay-off and both were less effective as a result.

 

According to Larry Holmes, Ali was a ***** monger type who didn't care how attractive the women were who wanted to be with him.

Perhaps too many women weaken legs.

 

Ali was 211 pounds in his last fight in the 60's. He came back at 213 and the fight after that he weighed 212..then 215...after that 227..then 220 ..then...221...then.. 214...then..216...then.. 217..then...218....then....221......then 217...then...221...then...217...then...212 ( Frazier 2 )...... then.....216 ( Foreman)...then...223...then...224...then 224 (Lyle)...then 224 (Frazier 3)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1975!

I stopped at 1975 because he is not relevant really after his 3rd Frazier fight. In almost all his fights he weighs over 215 pounds and some over 220. Ali began his career at around 190 pounds.Ali was not built as a big strong guy ,he was lanky made to fight light on his feet because he did not possess punching power even in his time. The FIRST time he weighed in at over 200 was his 16th fight against Moore he was 205. The first time he made 210 was his 20th fight against Liston,he comes in 206 for the rematch. In his 27th fight he came in at 212. He fought Mildenberger at 204 and Patterson at 210.


Ali only had a few fights in the 1960's over 210 pounds. Why did he lose the footwork? Well look at the numbers i just posted ...he went from averaging about close to 205 pounds to averaging close to 220 pounds in the 1970's.Age would also have played a part as he had alot of mileage on him ,but even in his younger years had he been bigger than 215 he is not going to move around the ring as much. This is simply logic that he would have been a heavier body no matter what training he did.


On the training i had post saved where an interviewer had followed Ali all the time he had been out of boxing and said he trained hard every day. Regardless of that,the reason why Ali lost some footwork and did less moving was the weight itself not because he let himself go. Anyone who knows boxing or fought would know a 6'3 guy who doesnt even weigh over or near 210 is going to move much easier,than a guy whos closer or over to 220 if they have the same ability.

He also fought better fighter in the 1970's ,putting on the weight either intentionally or just because he grew into a bigger guy gave him better inside control and harder punching,he was not the slow lummox sports historians try and make him out to be, he was just a HW fighter not the sub 205/210 guy everyone was used to watching.

 

Your right in the sense that after his exile {early 70s} if he didn't view his opponent as a threat he let his weight go. His fights that were challenges {in his mind} he was around the same weight..Quarry 1 and 2. Joe Frazier 215 and 212. Norton he was in great shape for the second bout 211 or so. His legs actually cameback to him almost 100%. The Quarry rematch and the Frazier rematch Ali had really moved like the 60s version.

 

Holyfield had Tyson rocked early. Had him backed up in round 2 and 3 and was bulling him around and manhandling him.
I think Holyfield won the first 3 rounds clear. The 4th maybe was even. Maybe Holyfield was getting tired by then. The 5th was perhaps Tyson's best round because he actually landed some good shots but Holyfield had been hitting him the cleaner harder shots, body and head, up to that point.
Of course it became more one-sided in Holyfield's favour as the fight went on.
More or less it was all Holyfield from very early on.

 

Nah, the first five was fought on even terms.

 

Take it you missed the second round.....

 

Whatever you're smoking, it's too strong for you.

 

You should try it.

 

If I smoke enough I might see Frazier beating Foreman ! Or at least it was close up until the stoppage

 

Very doubtful. Just a loss of speed and 'legs' that befitted a three and a half year lay off as has been well documented on this thread. Up until the middle seventies,though,Ali was still very....very fast for a heavyweight. Just goes to show how phenomenonly speedy he was prior to his enforced hiatus.