These "no hoper non boxers" were the best opposition available. You have to give somebody credit for consistently beating the best available, even if you don't particularly rate the era.
No , he really didn't. Ali turned Mildenburger's face into a literal meat patty ready for the grill. And southie , swift moving, Burger's style is as far removed from Wlads style as you can get. Wlad fought two guys who used a similar style to Ali - 1.Fury who made him look like a fool. 2. Williamson who floored him and looked to be taking control of the fight until Wlad was pulled out over a little cut. Don't want to take my word for it? Take Manny Stewards words instead -- Don't worry Wlad , he can't move around like this all night , he's no Ali Wlad beats Ali yeah? Hilarious. He didn't look like he could beat even a C level Ali impersonator.
Please keep your drivel exclusive to the General forum, thank you. Sincerely, ESB Classic section collective.
Ali beat ATG jabber Liston twice. What great jabber did Wlad ever beat??. Wlad lost the jab battle against Tyson Fury. Ali could jab on the move , Wlad could not. Anybody who needs to be stationary to gets off shots hasn't much of a chance to beat Ali.
i do give credit for commitment for sure, in this case I've always praised wlad for salvaging his career and keeping it going again and again despite repeated losses that earmarked him as categorically non-elite.
Perry, You said Ali in his prime did everything better than Larry. Stop the BS. No, he did not, I mentioned body punching and the uppercut. Ali didn't have a good left hook either, it was a slapping type of punch. Holmes had the better hook. I'm middle aged, and probably saw or read more than most who post here. Then you say Ali pre-exile. Okay, since you said in a separate thread, that Liston was not an ATG heavyweight, please tell me who in the 1960's did Ali beat that was great? In the 1960's Ali was almost out boxed by Doug Jones, and almost KO'd by Henry Cooper. Sure he beat a shot Williams, an injured Patterson, and solid contender type in Terrell, but that's about it. Frazier beat Ali good in March 1971 when Ali was under 30. The truth is the post -exile Ali was physically stronger, a better counter puncher, and a much better clincher. He made his legacy in the 1970's, not the 1960's.
Wladmir knocks out Joe Louis and gets knocked out himself by every other fighter on that list. Wlad beating guys like Ray Austin, Derrick Jefferson, and steroid Alexander Povetkin never impressed me and didn't/doesn't make him a all time great either.
Wow I basically typed the same thing over and over. Ali was never that good of a boxer skilled wise and before his exile Ali never beat any heavyweight who would be considered great. Patterson was a blown up light heavyweight. Liston was past his prime and himself never that great. George Chuvalo was solid but not close to being great. As you stated Henry Cooper almost knocked out Ali, Doug Jones rocked him and should of got the decision. Terrell was a solid guy. The other guys Ali fought in the first part of his career jokes by modern standards. When he fought bigger and better guys he struggled like hell. He could never beat the 6'3 220 pound Norton. He could only beat the 5'11 3/4 205-210 pound Frazier when he was blind in 1 eye and Foreman ruined him. His win against Foreman was a fluke. The stoppage against Lyle was quick and he was down on the cards. Jimmy Young beat him. That being said I still think he would beat Wlad because of how poor Wlad's stamina was and how sloppy he was in the ring.
Ali's physical prime was pre exile not after a four year layoff. Ali threw a perfect left hook and it was enough to hurt many a hwt and KO Bonavena. Ali went to the body nicely vs Terrell. Neither Holmes or Ali were body punchers. Holmes hook was very poor. Holmes was an ATG but he was also in many ways an Ali wannabe. Ali was by far and away the greater fighter. Liston by giving up the greatest prize in all of sport sitting on his stool forgoes all time greatness.
I've got no problem with this point of view really, but it needs to be applied consistently. So it would preclude Cerdan's being considered a great middleweight, Oscar De La Hoya at welterweight, Morales at super-feather etc.
Ali had problems with jabbers and the left hook, Wlad had both and very good with it. Lump in the fact that hes a lot bigger, I cant see how Ali wins.