Ali, the best heavyweight ever?

Louis would have knocked out Norton. A competitive fight while it lasted, but once Louis landed with heavy punches it would be over. Norton's cross-armed defense would make life difficult for Louis for a few rounds. While Norton used the jab well, he wasn't a fleet-footed mover behind it, as he boxed aggressively. He'd be hittable, and Louis would measure him.

 

I believe Ali was the best ever hwt & Id back him to beat any other hwt peak vs peak.

Of course he would have trouble with most of the other top 9 best ever hwts (whoever they may be) but he`s only human.... but what a human.

The adaptability, footwork, handspeed, accuracy, will to win, stamina, heart, chin... you name it, Ali had it.

I think maybe prime tyson could POSSIBLY give him most trouble prime for prime as mike had that combo of speed AND power that Ali probably never faced before.... but then again, tyson never faced anyone with the speed & boxing ability of Ali either.

I dont give marciano a great shot at Ali as I dont think he was any better than frazier + had similar style only a touch smaller AND were talking prime vs prime (which muhammad was defo not vs frazier.)

MUHAMMAD ALI IS THE NO1 HWT EVER ASWELL AS A TOP 2 P4P ALL TIME GREAT NEXT TO ROBINSON.

Just my opinion.

:tong

 

I would say Foreman and Shavers and probably even Cooney was clearly superior punchers in terms of power. They were also, of course, substanstially bigger. Do you thing it would have taken a prime Foreman 8 rounds to dispatch Braddock, 12 to knock-out Conn (he probably wouldn't have lasted 1 round against Foreman) and so forth?

Louis threw really powerful punches with both hands, but he was smaller than Norton and I don't think he would have overpowered him like Foreman and Shavers did. But I guess we'll never know for sure.

 

He was not my favorite heavyweight but I think he was the best ever. He had good size, very fast, great stamina, chin, confidence and natural athletic ability.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if Billy Conn could make a complete fool of George Foreman, to be honest.

Conn was a master boxer, with a solid chin. He might run rings round Foreman.

 

Shavers was 206 vs Lyle and Ellis and 210 vs Holmes and Norton. Is he really that much bigger than Louis, or does it just look and seem that way. Given Shavers at 206 - 211 is considered by many the biggest hitter ever, is it impossible to think Louis can't be a devastating hitter at 200 - 207 say?

Do you think Louis would have let Young last 12 rounds let alone win?

Norton weighed 205 and 210 vs Ali in their first two. He actually weighed 225 vs Shavers 210 in their actual bout. Louis weighed 207 when he decimated Conn. The actual sizes in some of these matches aren't as much as you think i reckon. Add to the fact a Louis was FAR faster punching than Shavers, FAR more accurate, had a much bigger arsenal, was much more compact and was scorching in combination. His body punching was also brutal - simply put i think he is Norton's worst nightmare along with Tyson.

 

Well put, I'll have to admit.

 

Thanks mate, and welcome to the forum too

:good