The Classic Boxing Myth Thread

My contribution to this thread is that Muhammad Ali did n't duck a rematch with George Foreman for three years,as some maintain.

Let's analyse this - After losing to Muhammad,George went AWOL for the whole of 1975. Unless of course we count that farcical exhibition entitled 'Foreman Meets 5' Most of us,I'm sure,would NOT count that. Being inactive for over a year does not give the impression that you're hungry for a rematch. When Ali lost to Joe Frazier he was back in the ring against Jimmy Ellis four months later. Likewise Frazier v Bugner after Smokin' Joe got poleaxed against Foreman. Just two examples. Post Zaire,Ali parcelled his energies out with the big ones - having a few easier bouts in between the tough ones. He was hardly the first or last one to do that and,anyway,he'd fought a who's who of fighters by that time.

Okay,Ali could have signed up for a Foreman defence after his third bout with Ken Norton but George was then beaten by Jimmy Young. So at most,the window that Muhammad could have signed up for George was a few months only. I somehow doubt that Foreman would have wanted to fight Muhammad again straight after his 50-50 one with Ron Lyle.

 

The Marciano training myth that is what !

 

Yep. I've pointed this out a few times in these forums. Not only did he take all of 1975 off, but save for the Lyle fight - which didn't do him any favors at the time (through it did retrospectively) - he was off until June 1976. It wasn't until the second Frazier fight, which he was the underdog in, believe it or not, that he was taken seriously again and mentioned as a possible challenger for Ali. But at this point Ali and Norton III was already scheduled and highly anticipated. By the time Ali was ready to fight again, Foreman had lost to Jimmy Young and retired.

George rightly won several "Comeback of the Year" awards for his four bouts in 1976, but the timelines didn't work out for an Ali rematch before the fall of 1977, when it was no longer an option.

 

I’ve seen different versions but they usually have him running 9-10 miles every day during training camp and escalating up to at least 12-15 miles per day the final week. It’s nonsense, and there’s no evidence to back it up, but it’s a myth that won’t ever die.

 

Biggs and Thomas - agreed

Cooney - agreed

Canelo? - his win over Lara was robbery, as well as draw against GGG. 114-114 scorecard against FM was probably the worst card in boxing history

Ibeabuchi? - he was very talented, but he lacked something to become ATG, in my opinion

Ruddock? - not shot but past his prime. Lewis' victory shouldn't be downplayed though since Lennox himself clearly didn't reach his prime yet. Physically he was there, but technically, skill-wise he was as far from his prime as Ruddock was from his one

Floyd was cherry-picker late in his career (McGregor was a complete joke of an opponent, Berto was just very bad)

Manny wasn't shot when he faced Floyd but he was clearly past his prime. Floyd was past his one as well though

 

Thanks for posting. Your feelings are hurt because you’re a GGG fan and dislike Mayweather and Canelo.

 

No, I'm not GGG fan at all. I think he feasted on low-level opposition for the large part of his reign, I think he got a gift against Derevyanchenko and rightfully lost to Canelo in the rematch. Be he sure as hell kicked Canelo's overrated ass in the first fight.

I dislike Canelo, yes, but I don't dislike Floyd. I don't like his style, but respect his dedication to sports and his skills

 

I rooted for Lara, but he ran in the championship rounds and therefore didn’t get the benefit of the doubt.

Canelo landed cleaner punches in the first GGG fight but GGG marched forward. A draw is correct and bribed judges could’ve easily scored it for Canelo.

 

Moreso there are numerous, consistent contemporary accounts of his actual, and much more pedastrian training routine.

 

Duran knew he got GOT! The lack of sportsmanship at the end of the fight showed that.

 

Wishful thinking.

 

Rockys training feats are among the most unbelievable and persistent.

 

Yeah, Frazier also softened up George for Ali.

 

A lot of what Bert Sugar says...

 

Ok, thanks for expanding, haven't heard of these myths myself must say, mostly I read about how Goldman would tie a string from corner to corner and Rocky would have to spar/box under the height of said string.