Boom. Bang. Bing. I'm Ali's biggest technical fundamentals advocate but not every day eat KFC . I'm lucky that my better half comes from a deep boxing lineage family, so it's a bit easier to watch fights with the boys without her giving me headache about it. Needless to say, it happens a lot less these days.
I'm biased. I admit it. Ernie Terrell and Joe Bugner weren't in the same zip code as Lennox Lewis but they were much better than average tall fighters who fought tall and Ali had no trouble with them. I'd be more afraid of a Tyson than a Lewis though I believe the latter was the better boxer.
Bugner and Terrell were the epitome of the 'just glad to be here' operator...all's they have in common with Lewis is that they were both tall.
I have Lennox in my top five with a decent argument for the #3 spot but he was a safety first fighter like Joe Bugner. You don't beat Ali by allowing him to relax and dictate the tempo. He'll pot shot you all night and decide when to take rounds off. Kenny and Joe beat Ali by crowding him and not allowing him to get comfortable.
I should specify my reasoning for Ali tko/stoppage, I think Lewis would present enough of a challenge that Ali would choose to be mean rather than easily out pointing, Lewis isn't going to try getting inside like Bonavena or Frazier, but I think Ali would turn it up to a similar level and outbox/dominate the ring (generalship), especially since Lewis is a big guy Ali is going to be sitting down on his bigger punches
It's a cliche but style makes fights. As an Ali fan I'd be more worried about a Rocky, a Tyson, or a Frazier than a Foreman, Holmes, Wlad or Lewis, and yes I'm aware of every gentleman's height, weight, and reach.
Ali is the smaller man here, he won't be enjoying the size and reach advantage he had most of his career. Not to mention Lewis is stronger, more skilled and hits way harder. Ali ain't outboxing Lewis in a million years. Ali would have to get out of his comfort zone and try to get close, and Lewis will pound him bigtime everytime he gets close. Lewis will get a comfortable point decision.
Not going to engage with you, given your track record. We can agree to disagree and leave it at that.
Found the ignore button. I guess some folks don't understand the simple words "I'm not going to engage with you," or either thought I didn't mean it.
I can see it either way, with Ali's speed being the determining factor in his win. I think Lewis wins, though. Lewis would use his size advantage and hold a lot. Use his range and his own stellar jab and eventually just land cleaner more effective punches throughout the fight to win a decision. I don't think Ali would rattle him and I don't think Ali's strengths play to Lewis' weaknesses.
I have no problem with saying SRR is the PFP GOAT. He was Ali's idol. Interestingly SRL said Ali is his.
I clearly specified that I was talking about Ali as a heavyweight. SRR absolutely was the PFP GOAT, mic drop. I just don't want to be baited into arguing with somebody I've never sought to engage with given his track record of posts here, which I've seen in trips through the archives.