Ali v Holmes who has the better fundamentals?

Holmes.

 

Holmes. :good

 

Holmes by a good margin had better fundamentals.

 

Disagree both Holmes and Ali had vastly better defense then Bowe ever did . And could handle a jab much better then Bowe.

Bowe edges them in infighting but thats it.

 

You don't think Bowe was a better body puncher? Better than Ali? Bowe's left hook was above Larry Holmes', and way above Ali's!

 

Close, but, overall, I'd have to say Ali. Boxing fundamentals include posture, balance, hand positioning, proper punching form, footwork, slipping, parrying, counterpunching, timing development, judgment of distance, as well as mental preparation.

Holmes' approach to the fundamentals began with his apprenticeship under Ali himself, during which he learned the great importance of the jab, the foundation of his fighting-outside boxing style, tailored to his physical attributes and admiration for the Greatest. I would say the Easton Assassin added a meaner streak to his punching, thus deploying harder and more consistent hitting power.

When fundamentals are discussed, some might consider it anathema to mention Ali, but with him I believe there is more than meets the eye. Textbook fundamentals, of course Joe Louis. But there is a greater scope.

In my opinion, Ali was a genius in that he took the foundations of the sport and adapted them to his immense gifts to develop a uniquely effective and sheerly beautiful style. Holmes, as Ali's seed, and however great himself, never did anything of the like.

When I see Ali slipping a punch within fractions of an inch of disaster, using the ring to truly dance, so smoothly, so efficiently, to avoid bombs and set up counterblows on rushing foes, using the coverup on the ropes to tire opponents out, displaying astounding self-confidence, calm and control against killer monsters of the ring, as well as a one-of-a-kind jab and fluid combinations founded on split-second application of boxing physics, I see simply the Greatest heavyweight of all time.

Ali knew what he was doing just as securely as Bach, Michelangelo and da Vinci did.

 

Larry Holmes sparred thousands of rounds with Ali and picked up more than a few tricks from him. He was better technically. Ali was able to be champion with his unique style (leaning back from punches, never throwing body shots, etc, etc) and was able to get away with it because he was so damn quick.

 

I do feel Holmes had the better jab, which is saying something because Ali's jab is legendary as well.

 

ali didnt have any fundamentals.. he broke every rule in the book.. hands low, backing away from punches, dropping his hands after he punched, leaning forward when he jabbed, the list goes on and on.. it was his incredible reflexes and speed that kept him ahead of the rest..

 

Agree with you here. I will say though that Ali had a pretty decent straight right hand when he wanted to throw it with conviction. Other than that, he relied on his speed and reflexes which overshadowed his lack of fundamental boxing. Larry had a better jab and threw hooks and uppercuts better than Ali. Why? Larry had slower feet and needed to position himself better to throw his punches which makes his focus on technical boxing that much greater than Ali.

 

fundamentals ... schmundamentals

 

better body puncher then Ali yes but that is'nt saying much. And i give him the left hook as well.

Bowe overall was the better infighter this however is offset by his poor outside game for a big man inability to handle a jab horrible defense and average footwork .

 

Holmes easily. Ali, like Roy Jones Jr, relied on his speed to bail him out of several flaws in his technique. Holmes wasn't quick enough to do that, so had to learn those basics.

 

Holmes!

 

Bokaj has hit the nail right on the head...