Joe Louis = Static footwork sucker for the right hand. Muhammad Ali = Sucker for the left hook, could be too hittable, held his hands too low, wasn't fundamentally sound. Larry Holmes = Sucker for the right hand, no head movement, virtually never threw a left hook, not a good inside fighter. Lennox Lewis = Chin could be cracked, could also be too complacent at times which cost him KO losses. Joe Frazier = A bit one dimensional in his offence relied on the left hook primarily, was also a slow starter.
Lewis: Often overlooked opponent’s true ability. Chin less than rock. Too willing to exchange. Ali: Could believe his own hype. Style leads to him being off balance. Lost mobility as he matured. Counted on last minute. Foreman: doesn’t mind getting hit. Can’t fight backing up. Can forget basics when under pressure. Frazier: Very one armed. Problems backing up and tying up. Too willing to take punishment. Slow starting.
Much as I love Lennox, he could enter the ring and underestimate the other guy. Certainly think that happened with McCall and Rahman!
Faults that plague a lot of all time greats that isn't in their actual boxing include laziness in training, getting frequently distracted by things outside of boxing (like women), or the most common: underestimating your opponent. Usually those all work off each other and most all time greats do one of these at least once in their career usually at the top of their game.
Joe Louis and Evander Holyfield: As Boxer-Punchers, they sometimes showed up using the wrong style for the opponents they were facing. Muhammad Ali: I think the early symptoms of Parkinson's Disease hurt him long before many realize so he lost a lot of his foot speed and stamina in his second career.
It's a wonder that Ali held on to his title when you think how much he started to slide. Especially fighting guys like Norton, Shavers, Lyle.
