Who's more skilled: Ali or Usyk?

Usyk is a much better technician, but Ali was more naturally gifted.

 

1. Combination punching: Ali is better considerably.

2. Body punching: Usyk is better massively. This is probably the biggest gap between them.

3. Finishing ability: Ali is better considerably. Ali stopped more durable opponents whereas Usyk did not stop a lot of durable opponents even at cruiserweight.

4. Defense/blocking: Usyk is better.

5. Footwork: Ali is better considerably IMO especially if you look at the best versions of them.

6. Improvisational ability: Ali is better considerably.

7. Unorthodox skills: Ali is better. For example, Ali could throw lead right hands vs dangerous opponents like Foreman which is technically incorrect but you

8. Feinting: Usyk is better.

Total: 5-3 for Ali. That being said, Usyk is way way way better at body punching. This is probably the biggest discrepancy between the two. So i am willing to call it even.

 

Usyk, not close.

 

Jab: Ali
Combinations: Ali
Speed: Ali
Reflex: Ali
Setups: Ali
Feints: Usyk
Mechanics: Ali
Counterpunching: Ali
Clinch: Ali>>>>>>>>>>>
Cardio: Ali>
Chin: Ali
Entries: Ali
Exits: Draw
Body Durability: Ali
Distance Management: Ali, close
Inside fighting: Ali
Body Punching: Usyk>>>>>>>
Power: Ali
Explosiveness: Ali
Agility: Ali
Accuracy: Ali, close
Boxing IQ: Ali
Ring Generalship: Ali
Synergy (how good the boxer puts his techniques and skills together): Ali
Adjustments: Ali
Longevity: Ali
Experience: Ali
Resume (Optional): Ali>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>♾️

 

Ali was far more naturally gifted, but not necessarily in boxing fundamentals. He had a flow and attitude that transcended his sport. His behaviour lended itself to boxing. Usyk has been trained astutely in many arts, that also go well with boxing. His character and steel should not be underestimated either! This guy has a resolve that is up there with some of the best to do it.

 

I really don't look much at his work after the Rumble, and especially the Thriller. He was to boxing what Hendrix was to the guitar. They were creative geniuses.

 

Biased much? And you do realize a lot of stuff you classify as "skill" - for instance, durability, power, agility - actually better fit under "natural talent" or "physical gifts"?

 

Precisely. Usyk had better boxing skills; Ali would likely win in a hypothetical match-up, because of his superior natural gifts.

This is one of my biggest peeves in boxing - almost up there with boxing's version of "moderns versus old-timers" debates.

 

Technically it's Usyk. Ali relied on reflexes rather than slipping and countering. But Usyk ain't no where near being as good as Ali

 

I normally agree with you on these contemporaries vs. old-timers debates and think the younger fans are too captivated by the moment. But here is a rare, rare case where I do stand with the promoter of the contemporary fighters. Ali was technically deficient in many ways but outboxed people because of his otherworldly speed and reflexes - a lot like Roy Jones.

 

they can contribute a lot to skill.

 

If I had to choose between being skilled and having God given athleticism, I'll choose the latter every time. Google Herschel Walker and Bo Jackson shirtless. The former never lifted weights and the latter hardly did. When I was a young man, I had a business acquaintance whose son went to college with Bo Jackson at Auburn. He saw him shirtless. He said he looked like a Greek god.

 

A skill is an ability/attribute that has been practiced to the level where it can be executed with profiency on demand.

In this scenario, boxing is one of those rare sports where athletic gifts are merely your natural predisposition. Your execution is still done with skill but heightened by your natural gifts E.g. Ali, RJJ, Floyd with the pull counter. All superbly skilled at doing it, all masterful in execution as their natural physical gifts have been honed to a level of superiority through hours and hours of practice and repetition.

 

I agree, but that's not the debate here!

 

The pull counter is not something I'd imagine that most trainers would want to teach their fighters to use as a primary defensive staple though. Or perhaps I may be wrong? Could someone with Foreman's reflexes be successful with it?