Freak athletes of Boxing history

In all respect, Ali had very, very little fundamental boxing skill he was intelligent in the ring but not very good at “pure boxing” very reliant on his reflexes and speed but in terms of athleticism, I actually agree with you he wasn’t some freak of the Hamed, Jones and Langford mold. Ali had freaky gifts like durability and stamina in fairness…

 

Good list, I’d like to add Langford to this crew if you wouldn’t mind.

 

But Ali's reflexes & speed ARE aspects of Pure Athleticism.
They were & are freakish, especially for his size.
His punch being significantly faster than SRRs & the 2/1000th speed blow he spoke about in "when we were Kings" were freakish, not just stamina & duranility.

Also his lack of basic boxing skills can be overstated.
Some things he did or eschewed were conscious or instinctive choices that were better given his style & gifts.
Leaning back arguably.
Holding his hands down low for greater visibility, reactions/accuracy & speed, definitely worthwhile for *him* to employ.

 

For something very specific to boxing; an iron chin.

Joe Grim is a 'freak' worth mentioning.

 

Not worth much in terms of boxing. I can't even believe there is even a question in terms of Ali being a freak.

 

I think you forgot to mention his unreal hand speed and the way he moved around the ring.

 

I literally mention all of those things in one way or another. I just think his durability, mindset and stamina are his biggest freak factor. Whose alt are you, you post 23 times a year?

 

You're right, I missed part of it but I'm not sure how given all those things you could conclude he wasn't a freak.

 

But I did?

 

Sorry if I misunderstood as you seemed to be somewhat agreeing with the original poster who questioned if Ali was a freak.

 

Ridiculous hand and foot speed, stamina and punch resistance.

 

When I look at his record, who he fought and the amount of rounds he fought it almost seems superhuman. It's crazy, really.

 

Likewise, Roberto Duran apparently had the incredible ability to gain 200 pounds and then lose it, all in a 5-month span (that one time).

 

Some sports fans have such a weird, abstract definition of the term athleticism I swear. Ali doesn't have freaky athleticism, he's just
6'3, with
Freaky Speed
Freaky Reaction Speed
Freaky Stamina
and a Freaky Chin

But he's not a freak athlete, just had freaky gifts... what? Those are synonyms lol, Ali is one of the most athletic sportsman in human history let alone boxing history.

 

He's not the sort of freak who would have excelled at another sport, a la Maske.