Why was Ali so much slower after the hiatus?

Speed is one of the first thing a fighter loses.

Speed starts to usually decline after 27-28, and drops dramatically after 33-34

The extra weight and ring rust didn't help.

Footspeed declines faster than handspeed which is why Ali still had lightning quick hands vs Foreman but was noticeably slower on his feet.

 

When you stay away from something for a long time, you tend to lose a skill. In Muhammad Ali's case, he lost his footwork, stamina, timing, speed, reflexes, and a mental attitude, it was not that the new generation of opponents were better, he lost the uniqueness. In 1967, he would have fought Smoking Joe Frazier much different than he did in 1971. There was a reason that Yank Durham did not want Frazier to fight then champion Ali in 1967.Ali would not be laying on the ropes against Joe in 1967, but dancing 15 full rounds without missing a beat. Look what he did to Sonny Liston in 1964 and Ernie Terrell in 1967. Sparring once in a while like Ali did during his 43 month exile is not the same as sparring all the time. Ali gained weight, looked pudgy. He was lecturing on the college circuit, appearing on late night talk shows.. And most of all fighting his court case against a wasteful war that was very unpopular to many American men. Remember in 1967 there was no Rope A Dope in Ali's arsenal.

 

Very true post my friend, a fighters legs are also the first things to go when inactive, especially 43 months.

 

I do wonder, though, how he would have looked with a more measured schedule and better training habits.

If he had had at least six months before facing Quarry after getting the licence back and then another four before Bonavena, four more before Chuvalo and then putting him in with Frazier in, say, April 1972. And keeping in good shape between fights. I'd liked to have seen that Ali.

 

He was a better, more complete, smarter fighter after his break... and still plenty fast when he wanted to turn it on.

Part of the perception regarding his lack of speed was that he generally wasn't as fit and had to conserve his output, more in bursts than sustained.

 

Ali reached a mobility level at heavyweight that we have never seen before or since ... It's simply not possible to sustain that level when you have had a long hiatus without any meaningful bouts ... It was natural decline coupled with inactivity

I would still say that we never saw the best of Ali ... He was at the beginning of his prime in 1967 at the age of 25 or so

 

I'd agree more complete but he wasn't better. 67 Ali would have been heavily favoured against every opponent post exile.

 

If anyone thinks Ali didn't have his speed and mobility i would invite them to watch his fights vs Frazier both 1 and 2. His fights vs Jerry Quarry. Especially the 2nd Quarry fight. These were his big fights early 70s.
My point is Ali was only slow in comparison to himself from the 60s. When he trained hard and was prepared for an opponent he was still the fastest heavyweight in history.
FOTC Ali was very fast, very sharp. I don't believe even Ali at his best could dance for 15 rounds against a fighter of Frazier's caliber. Its a myth (Dance for 15 rounds) it never happened and it sure couldn't vs a fighter that applied the kind of pressure and power Frazier brings for 3 minutes every round.

 

I think he was better. Beating Frazier and Foreman is magnitudes more impressive than beating Folley or Terrell. He was prettier and more aesthetically pleasing pre-hiatus. But he was better after.

 

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Let's make a list of the heavyweights before or since that were quicker than this

1.?
2?

 

He got stronger too....

 

Yeah, it shouldn't be forgotten that an in shape early 70's Ali still was extremely fast. In the 60's he was a freak, but still very fast in the early 70's (when in shape).

 

How was the 212 lbs Ali stronger in '67 than the 212 lbs Ali in '73-74 (Norton and Frazier rematches)? The 215 lbs Ali in Frazier 1 than the 215 lbs Ali in Chuvalo 1?

 

Ali was very much in his prime during the '60s. not as good in the 70s with his mobility sapped. Looked better than expected for his fight in 70 vs Quarry but became lead footed after. The rope a dope is badly overrated. its a game of hit and dont get hit