[1974] More ex-champs' Ali-Foreman predictions

I agree with everything except the body shots. In many rounds that was all Foreman could land, and he did so with bad intentions. He would make sure to turn the fist over so that his knuckles would dig in and he did so aiming for the kidneys, ribs, etc. He was as merciless as a lion when he went to the body, including against Ali.

What would have made a big difference would be if he set up the shots better methodically tried to break him down before shifting back upstairs. This would be difficult to do because Ali did such a good job swaying away from head shots and pulling Foreman's head down to avoid getting nailed, but for many moments it looked like Foreman just didn't bother with head shots because he kept missing. I think this was a big mistake. He had the longer arms and was the much harder puncher, even just 1 flush shot to the head could have turned things in his favor. The flip side to this is if Ali couldn't block or avoid the body shots he'd just take them on purpose to further tire Foreman out in a borderline suicidal plan while avoiding bringing his hands down (which leaves your head open). This was extremely unconventional and brave to the point of insanity so no one was really prepared for it.

As for the clinching, I also agree that he should have resisted more. For whatever reason he just let Ali grab his neck and used that as an opportunity to swing for body shots. But to be fair, the ref should have warned Ali for excessive clinching. Maybe he was worried about tiring himself out trying to out wrestle Ali? Other fighters like Norton were impressed with Ali's physical strength and said he was very hard to outmuscle, and that appears to be the case on film. Obviously Foreman was stronger overall, but Ali was no slouch and may have been draining him in there so Foreman decided to just listen to his corner and pound away. Anyway, the corner did an absolutely horrible job regardless of the fact people underestimated Ali's durability and changing his mind about dancing after the 1st round.

 

I've watched the fight plenty of times

Ali honestly was in control for nearly the entire fight ... He was talking to Foreman the entire time making him rush and get ahead of himself

There were moments where Foreman had him hurt but Ali was an expert at survival

Ali was truly a boxing genius ... Even with his physical abilities eroded he still was able to prepare and adapt and find ways to win ... How many boxers have been able to do that?

Shame we never saw his full prime

 

Weird that he rarely threw any shots straight down the middle or tried uppercuts to the jaw. Both were open many times and he was good at doing both. Just an incredibly dopey fight plan.

 

Ali was a worse racist.
The comments about putting one's hands on one's hips until the runner has no choice to engage is bang on though I wouldn't say Ali is the best opponent to try such a strategy on.
Maybe a bit silly but Ali both attracted and thrived off comments like Sharkey's.