Why did Jimmy Young resort to sticking his head through the ropes only against Ali but no-one else?

Interjecting the present fighters with the past, General Forum is the place guys, we were discussing Jimmy Young against Muhammad Ali, both fighters have already passed on.

 

poisonous fight

 

What always puzzled me was that Ali weighed 227 for Buster Mathis and looks fit. You can see the definition in his arms, shoulders, chest, and thighs. He weighed 230 against Young and looked like a walrus

 

Young knew a fighter couldnt be hit when outside the ropes. I dont believe this had ever been seen or done before so the ref was confused on how to deal with it..clever imo.
I dont remember Young doing it over and over but just a handful of times like maybe 3 times (i could be mistaken).
Aside from that I had Young winning the fight 13rounds for Young and 2rounds tied. Young was robbed.

 

Yeah, have thought of that as well. He seemed to lose muscle after Manilla.

 

I've noticed that too. Muhammad weighed 220 lbs for his 1976 bout against Richard Dunn. Was four pounds heavier for Joe Bugner the previous year but had better definition in the earlier fight.

 

They should have played I am The Walrus by The Beatles (1967) as his entrance song. I love and respect Muhammad Ali but it is true, since his comeback in 1970 after 43 months in exile, he began slowly to abuse his body with fat. As champion from 1964-1967, Ali looked fit and refined, he usually weighed between 206-213 lbs for his title defenses.

 

It was a plain, illegal move and Young knew it.

If I was Ali, I would’ve pushed the rest of Young’s body through the ropes.

Besides getting into Ali’s head (which I don’t believe was the primary objective, if at all) , it served two purposes - to relieve pressure as Young explained and to merely prevent Ali scoring any points back.

Young was all about getting hit less than he was hitting - so his output wasn’t overwhelming or proactive.

There’s an SI Vault article (prior to his fight vs Norton I think) in which Young literally stated that he didn’t so much fight to win (in general), his primary aim was to survive and not get hurt.

Sure, Ali was fat and old, lots of wear/tear but…. what was Young’s excuse to employ such negative and flatly illegal tactics?

Compare Ali’s proactive fighting conduct at the same age, with 3 1/2 years exile behind him.

 

Your great uncle was a great fighter!

 

One of the very best contenders of the 1970s,which was no mean feat as it was arguably the greatest era for heavies.

 

Absolutely Stevie.

 

I’m a huge Jimmy Young fan but you can’t win a fight that way.

Heck, why not just hide under the ring?