2 questions (not Statements) about Muhammad Ali.

Hey Addie, is that a Peak George Foreman with a parrot on his shoulder in your avatar?! :admin
He looks truly invincible.

 

Good post.

 

Ali will never been mentioned with the punchers of Foreman, Shavers, Liston, Tyson or Frazier for that matter. These guys were known for their power, especially the first four. 1960s Ali was a sharp puncher, a crisp puncher that would cut you up and sting you. These punches would knock you out by cumulative effect as opposed to the singular shot itself. This doesn't mean Ali was devoid of power because he could knock you backwards with any of his shots. The man was a heavyweight. 1970's Ali was a slightly heavier fighter with increased musculature in his upper body. He hit harder in the 70's I believe because he sat down on his punches a lot more. He didn't have the legs to move and hit with the relative ease he showed in his first tenure as champion.

As for being overrated, I think his greatness is somewhat measured by the state he left his greatest opponents. Frazier, Foreman, Norton, Quarry, Chuvalo and others were never the same fighters after facing Ali. I dare say Larry Holmes was never the same fighter after facing Ali. When your name is consistently mentioned as number #1 on most all time great lists, or almost never lower than #3 which I've seen a couples times, your greatness speaks for itself, and Ali's does.