Ali's career after Manila

So very true. Leon was so much less than he was in the first fight - which obviously takes from the appraisal of Ali in the rematch also.

 

This is a crucial point that many overlook. After his first fight with Ali, Leon lost his passion for boxing; given his style and personality, this effectively marked the end of his career, even though it technically dragged on for another 20 years. He stepped into the ring solely for the money—exactly the same thing happened to Mike Tyson ten years later; the parallels are striking.

 

The right hand that Shavers landed against Ali in the 2nd round--I honestly believe that's the hardest shot Ali took in his entire career! ANY other fighter would still be stretched out on the MSG canvas!!

 

Agreed. Even though Earnie had natural power going for him it was a beautifully delivered punch also.

Ali had begun dancing around Shavers and Earnie pulled the trigger at just the right moment. It was a very fast and accurate punch.

The punch seemed to freeze Ali for a moment before he momentarily lost control of his legs causing him to teeter back and then hold the ring rope for support.

I don’t buy so much into the claim that Ali conned Earnie out of following up quickly enough for a likely KO.

Though obviously hurt, it did appear that Ali had recovered somewhat and Shavers duly avoided a rushed, ineffective follow up (see Earnie’s not so great follow up after dropping Holmes).

Earnie got back at Ali soon enough when Ali tried to play the rope a dope soon after.

Shavers picked and placed his power shots to perfection causing Ali to come off the ropes in quick time.

There was another Shavers shot that clearly caused Ali knees to buckle but, again, only after a sec or so delay - Earnie’s power often had that type of effect on opponents.

On that occasion, to cover himself, Ali quickly held onto Earnie and opened his mouth wide in mock reaction/surprise - but he was def. hurt on that occasion also.

 

The big difference was Ali actually used movement in the rematch with Spinks.

Compared to the 1st meeting where Ali just sat on the ropes for long periods in the fight.

I think Ali underestimated Spinks's stamina and willingness to win in their 1st fight. And he thought he could sleepwalk through the fight doing the rope a dope, and let his inexperienced opponent tire himself out and then take over in and stop Spinks in the 2nd half.

But the issue was Spinks didn't slow down at all and then once Ali tried to rescue the situation late on. By that time he'd dug himself too much of a hole on the scorecards it was game over.

I think both things can be true honestly Swag.

Ali did improve in the rematch he used movement and didn't sit on the ropes allowing Spinks to wail away at him.

And Spinks wasn't quite the same fighter he was in their 1st meeting.

 

Pure fantasy. First of all Ali was not better in the second fight .. the fact was that Spinks was worse ... Ali was better conditioned but not better .. Spinks lost because he partied his brains out and did not train .. no one knew better than Ali that he'd never beat Norton again which is why he openly begged for the immediate Spinks rematch despite that fact that Norton was guaranteed the fight with Spinks , ultimately fractioning the title .. Ali knew Norton would crush Spinks and Ali would never get the title back if he had to fight and beat Norton again. It was kind of funny how Ali was all over saying he gave Liston an immediate rematch and ignored that he never gave Foreman one when trying to make that point ..