The expression "you can see the glass as half empty or half empty" certainly fits here. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tej_r5OFYwM&feature=PlayList&p=286E71B9431F7629&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=7[/ame] Many uses this fight as an example of Ali being vulnerable and the young Clay certainly looks vulnerable in the opening stages. But that a 20-year old with 10 pro fights behind him can get reckless and put on his ass isn't really brealking news. What really makes this fight interesting is rather how Clay instantly reacts. I also like his punching here. He actually does the most damage with short, compact left hooks.
I enjoyed that. It was Ali's first major test as a pro,and he passed with flying colours,imo. After he got decked he knew instinctively what to do. It was a very early example of how well he could take a punch.
I really like how he immediatly starts to mix it up with Banks. Those are not shoeshines, but punches and combination meant to do damage. That short left he floors him with is a peach (as is the left that Banks floors Clay with).
A left hook is the punch that Clay/Ali was n't meant to have. I think it was the Jurgen Blin fight where Muhammad was throwing TRIPLE hooks a couple of times.
Ali was not unbeatable ... look t him rocked to his heels in round 1 against Doug Jones ... [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TZyfT_zU7A&feature=related[/ame] Go to the 2:18 or so mark
He always manages to come back firing and recovers quickly, he seemed really hurt for a second there. I guess he was only young in both the fights posted, cheers for posting!
Ali has a chin of pure iron. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfQ56hSXGV0[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgch7N5uj2M&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyxRQEwO-ss&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLVS_PUME6w&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcNAuXOvPww&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQezcWBhb0o&feature=related[/ame]
No doubt Ali grew into his chin as we all know the ability he went on to show ... it also says alot about the speed of a punch having an effect ... either way, considering he was rocked and won a very close decision over Jones then was basically flattened by Liston it's no woner kew thought he'd survive Sonny.
