How bad was Ali's defence?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017.


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  1. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Just watching some clips of Ali/Shavers, his defense in that fight was abysmal. Some might say because he was past it but he was exactly the same in the FOTC. All i see him do his pull his head back, he's constantly getting tagged and the worrying thing is he can't adapt.

    When younger he had great reflexes but his defense even back then left a lot to be desired, what's your thoughts on his defensive abilities?
     
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    #1
  2. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    Dunno Wass, maybe he had the Flu or something!

    Sorry bud, lol.

    How you feeling?
     
    BlackCloud, Dec 30, 2017
    BlackCloud, Dec 30, 2017
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  3. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    Legs and reflexes. In 20 years he never figured out how to block a left hook.
     
    greynotsoold, Dec 30, 2017
    greynotsoold, Dec 30, 2017
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  4. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He struggled to block most punches tbh, let's be honest here he couldn't carry Mayweather's jockstrap defensively.
     
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    #4
  5. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I'm getting there, just stuck to the bed in my own sweat browsing the tinternet. Not looking forward to starting back work on the 2nd..........
     
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    #5
  6. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    Our site re-opens on the 3rd.....you plumbing right?
     
    BlackCloud, Dec 30, 2017
    BlackCloud, Dec 30, 2017
    #6
  7. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I work on the railways mate, got an extra day you lucky boy.
     
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    #7
  8. BlackCloud

    BlackCloud I detest the daily heavyweight threads Full Member

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    Brickwork here, got those lovely 7kn concrete blocks waiting for me.
    Tbh i been off since 22nd and bored stiff so don't mind starting back.

    Lol, thread got derailed there....pardon the pun!
     
    BlackCloud, Dec 30, 2017
    BlackCloud, Dec 30, 2017
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  9. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ali had some of mentioned fundamental flaws that came back to haunt him when he started to slow down, yes.

    But he had some advanced moves down to a tee. No HW has ever done the pull counter as well and he was also very good at turning his head with a punch, riding it, and often coming back with a counter (Bonavena perhaps the most beautiful example).

    So he had the top end moves down but was lacking concerning the basics.
     
    Bokaj, Dec 30, 2017
    Bokaj, Dec 30, 2017
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  10. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    Ali operated on a level higher than reliance of on basic techniques.

    He operated in fights on an emotional level, and riding the momentum of the action. He had a holistic style. Meaning that if he’s not concentrating on blocking punches, it’s probably because he is trying to remain in a position where he can return fire right away. He had an uncanny sense of awareness.
     
    reznick, Dec 30, 2017
    reznick, Dec 30, 2017
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  11. Bokaj

    Bokaj Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    True, but the real defensive masters can do both. McCallum could roll and ride with punches and do the pull counter, but he also had his guard as last resort and was almost perfect in his defensive footwork.

    Ali's defense had no last resorts. It required him to be sharp all the time.
     
    Bokaj, Dec 30, 2017
    Bokaj, Dec 30, 2017
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  12. Big Ukrainian

    Big Ukrainian Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ali had some defensive flaws, and they are well known. Same with Roy Jones, both Ali and Jones were extremely gifted athletes but not the most skilled boxers.

    The big difference was that Ali had great chin and recuperative abilities, which helped him a lot after he lost speed and reflexes, while Jones had none
     
    Big Ukrainian, Dec 30, 2017
    Big Ukrainian, Dec 30, 2017
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  13. Big Ukrainian

    Big Ukrainian Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    By the way, Wass, what do you think about Mike Tyson's defensive skills and which defensive flaws did he have.
     
    Big Ukrainian, Dec 30, 2017
    Big Ukrainian, Dec 30, 2017
    #13
  14. Wass1985

    Wass1985 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    His head movement got predictable as he tired, Lennox Lewis mentioned Tyson dipped his head to one particular side and that's how he timed that right hand that finished him.
     
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
    Wass1985, Dec 30, 2017
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  15. Grapefruit

    Grapefruit Active Member Full Member

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    I'e heard foreman talk about this. Ali had unique defensive skills that required great athleticism and footwork, when that left him he was vulnerable getting hit alot
     
    Grapefruit, Dec 30, 2017
    Grapefruit, Dec 30, 2017
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