Muhammad Ali vs Corrie Sanders

I debated this one with some peeps a few years ago. Muahammad Ali would win. But I wasn't in the camp who believed it would be a one sided beat down. Throughout his entire career, Ali had problems with getting tagged by left hooks. In this case he'd be facing a fast handed southpaw with decent skill, power, height and some wingspan. Ali's speed, generalship, and stamina would win him the day in the late rounds but not before taking some good shots early. I also wouldn't be surprised if he was decked at some point.

Ali by TKO between rounds 9-12.

 

You ever hear of a guy named Doug Jones? A average 180 pound fighter gave Ali fits. You heard of the average Henry Coopre almost knocking Ali out with one punch? Ali is overrated the extent of people acting like he couldn't lose or when he did lose he was past his prime.

Corrie Sanders wasn't great. But a in shape motivated Sanders could beat Ali. If you believe Norton was better than Corrie then whatever. Norton's career is based off Ali. (Not to say Ken Norton wasn't a solid fighter) Ali could never handle smart fighters. Ali beat Foreman because of his ego and he fought stupid. If fought smart he would of won. Frazier beat Ali until he was blind in one eye.

What prime fighter, who was a modern size heavyweight did Ali ever dominate? His better wins were against overrated washed up Liston and he got lucky against George Foreman. Ali never looked impressive fighting guys who were modern sized heavyweights.

Corrie's career is based off beating overrated glass chin PED use Wlad. But that being said he was still a 6'4 230 pound guy with fast hands and a decent punch ( I would say good punch but knocking out glass chin Wlad isn't saying much).

You want more proof that Ali was overrated? Ali went the distance with smaller guys like Rudi Lubbers. Who the hell is Rudi Lubbers? A nobody that is who.

Even before his 3 years away from boxing he had to go 12 rounds to KO 190 Karl Middlenberg a guy who had only 19 Kos in 53 wins.

He fought Brian London a bum in a title fight. London 35 and 13. He fought 188 pound Henry Cooper in a title bout.

Do you know why I call you morons dumb? Because if you explained to somebody something or give them facts about something and that person is still so into trying to defend a person on TV who doesn't know they exist then they are dumb.

Ali came around at the right place and right time. He came around doing the civil rights moment and the black Muslim part and could exploit that for his personal gain. He was a racist who beat his wife. He wasn't nearly as skilled as people made him to be. That is why he struggled with any guy who had any real boxing skills. Even guys who were light heavyweights by modern standards. Guys his own size like Ken Norton were too much for him. He lost to Frazier, he struggled with guys like Lyle and got a quick stoppage win. Even guys like Spinks weren't that good and he still struggled against. Sure at that time he was past his prime. But hell Foreman fought till he was 48. Do you think Spinks was better than Briggs, Morrison, Holyfield, Moorer and others?

 

Ali should obviously be favoured, but I reckon Sanders is in with a shot. His younger version was mobile and faster than the Wlad version. Sanders seemed to be modelling himself on Ali to an extent. Well, minus the dedication in the gym, that is. Handspeed and power can give any opponent something to think about, and Sanders had arguably the fastest hands since ... well, I can't think of a guy that is clearly faster than Sanders since Ali himself.

 

come on mate, dont hold back - sanders was the 2nd coming of Ali!

 

There is the answer of the post. No matter your or anyone else opinion of Ali, he was resilent. He was great. His flaws were better than most everyone elses. Truth.

 

You know, it's not etched in stone that people have to accept Ali as the greatest.
It's legitimate opinion to favour others over him, that's just opinion.
But your whole tone reeks of an agenda against him, it's almost personal.
You have him down as virtually just a lucky or ordinary fighter almost a bum, which discredits you completely.

 

Tyson
Holyfield
Holmes
James Tillis
Tony Tubbs
Dokes
Biggs
Shannon Briggs
Tommy Morrison

 

^

You could make a case for Dokes.

 

"Shannon Briggs"

 

The idea of discrediting BH is a contradiction in terms!

 

So Sanders was faster than all the rest? Including Tyson and Holmes ? To laugh at Briggs being mentioned says to me you never watched an early Briggs fight in your life.

 

Young Briggs was lighter on his feet for a few rounds but his hands were always slower than owl ****. He could muster a flurry or two of above average speed but to do so would leave his gas tank on E. This is a guy who was getting beat to the punch by a 49 year old man who was never known for his speed.

This is what Dino has been reduced to.

 

As far as pure hand speed, Tyson, Dokes, Sultan, and Chambers were probably the only guys as fast as Sanders in combination in recent decades. There are guys like Wlad, Haye, and Hide who had quick single punches, but couldn't do it in combination.

The thing with Sanders was not only did he have those quick hands, he was a Southpaw with arm length and power. Very dangerous fighter. I don't think he beats Ali, but he probably would be one of his more problematic opponents for the early rounds. That is until he gasses out and Ali stops him late.

 

Those have always been my thoughts. I can't see Sanders having the stamina or staying power to beat Ali. But he can certainly prove to be a dangerous foe early on. Definitely more so than some other guys who gave Muhammad problems.