I've watched his whole career, and I watched it while it happened, long before there was an internet. Ali would cover up on the ropes and and let people hit him ... when he wanted to cover up on the ropes and let them hit him. NAME ONE GUY who outboxed a prime Ali in ring center? Once Ali got on his toes and moved and jabbed and punched, the guy he was fighting was pretty much on the defensive until Ali decided to take his foot off the gas. Sh!t, John Tate outboxed Michael Dokes in the Olympic Trials, Ossie Ocasio outboxed Dokes in their first fight, Mike Weaver outboxed Michael Dokes in their rematch, Gerrie Coetzee outboxed Dokes before knocking his butt out cold. Jesus Christ RANDY COBB nearly outboxed him in their first fight. Who exactly did Michael Dokes outbox? Or where did you get the idea he was a power puncher? Dokes was the classic shoe-shine artist. He only knocked out about half the people he fought. Ali fought better comp and knocked out a higher percent of them. Everything about your theory is way off. And regardless of what you say, there's a clip of a young, fresh Dokes and an old, out of shape Ali with his hands down, and Dokes CAN'T HIT ALI IN THE HEAD. Ali is standing flatfooted. His hands are not protecting him. Dokes is standing a foot in front of him ... throws AT LEAST 18 PUNCHES ... and lands NOTHING. When did Ali corner a guy, the guy had his hands down, and Ali threw 18 shots AND MISSED ALL OF THEM? Dokes should've been the one in the corner with his hands on the ropes making Ali miss. Worst thread ever.
Some let their personal feelings about a fighter blind them to a fighters abilities. Judging by the way the criticism they write is worded its pretty plain to see its more personal animosity than a true impartial critique.
Typical 80's underachiever. With Dokes it was Cocaine with a capital "C". With Page it was dedication, or lack of it. Cooney had his struggles too. Tubbs. By the time the Coetzee defense rolled around Dokes was well off the beaten track. He'd been partying on coke within two days of the bout. All the talent in the world can be offset by such a lifestyle.
Dokes had very quick hands. Ali was far quicker overall and was the far greater fighter. Dokes was not in any way in Ali league. Dokes became a coke addict as his career progressed.
Certain fighters on here are becoming better the further away they get from their career. David Tua is one, Corrie Saunders is another, it looks like Dokes is joining that fraternity.
I'd hardly put Dokes in the Tua boat tho. Dokes was definitely talented and had great handspeed. This much is obvious. Unless you are nibbling on B-Ears baited hook which i am realising you might be.
Apparently the three years or so he was out of the ring, he was undergoing drugs and alcohol rehabilitation. Sadly he passed away a few years back but does anyone know if it was connected to his old addictions or not?
Sonny Liston? Dokes ain't Cassius Clay. If he couldn't stay out of Gerrie Coetzee's way Liston would blow him out of his shoes.