From what I understand Ali and Frazier weighed in about a week before the fight. I don't think Ali was that heavy by fight day..It makes sense because Frazier's reported weight was 215lbs. We know he was training like a Demon.
He looked big for the Frazier fight but he didn't look fat like he did for Young. A lot of fighters shove to break up a clinch. BIg George shoved a fighter as soon he got close.
Just imo, take away the baseless claims that Liston dipped his gloves, Sonny and Joe Frazier were two of the more clean, open fighters. No BS tactics. Came to fight. I’m not a fan at all of fighters who deliberately strategised themselves to push, shove, wrestle, clinch etc.. It’s not in the true spirit of boxing imo.
As he got older I believe he did. It was a method of conserving energy as well as neutralizing incoming attacks
He seemed to let his conditioning go. Work rate went way down. He was more flat footed and doing a lot more of that holding we’re talking about
Not to mention I believe his hands were beyond damaged. I recall Ken Norton saying after the bout in Yankee Stadium that "Ali never hit me hard the whole fight".
I think most honest people agree that the man should have pulled the plug on his career years before he did. I firmly believe that the thrilla in Manila was the last time anyone saw a good version of Ali and still that wasn’t prime by any means
I agree - for his own health and for the health of the Title - not good to see any Champ come in poorly trained, not respecting or taking the crown seriously - a fact that even Ali made light of in his latter fights. And might we blame Muhammad for those fat Ali wannabes in the 80s?
Ali shoved lots. He tried it against Chuvalo I believe and got banged on, he put his hands in a high guard and shoved George around the ring. Check me on the opponent if needed but I KNOW he did it.
That’s funny Rich. In my neck of the woods they actually used that tune in a commercial advertising a chocolate bar or ice cream, can’t quite recall. Ali liked to hold and to eat. “Never, never, never let me go….” Ha!