Alis durability is his best feature

I think it was probably the case post exile.

 

His chin is the best all time. I don’t even think it’s close. But he was sneaky strong according to a few opponents. Foreman wasn’t expecting him to be as strong as he was.

 

Yes he had a great chin, but don't overlook how well he took body shots.

 

I disagree. I think it was his speed and incredible footwork. While his chin is certainly among one of the best, it was those aforementioned attributes that enabled him to hit and not be hit. Without those his career would have been shorter.

 

I recall reading multiple opponents say that Ali was much stronger than expected when clinched up. Some of it I'm sure was probably having a good intuitive understanding of leverage and stance for work up close.

For me to take anything said by Foreman that seriously, it would have to be said while he was younger. Foreman got too nice as he got older, and he'd build up anyone out of niceness, even guys he blasted out like nothing. But when Joe Frazier and Ken Norton say it -- and both did, I recall -- then I believe it.

Side note since you have me thinking about Ali, I remember a quote from Ron Lyle to the effect of "Want to know how great Ali was? If there was no Ali, you wouldn't be sitting here talking to me."

 

Agreed. Other great chins accomplished far less. Being able to take risks because you assume you'll be ok if you get caught is a great attribute, but it takes far more than just that.

 

Foreman had a better chin than Ali. As likely did Chuvalo and McCall.

Single shot, IMO, prime Tyson had a better chin than Ali.

What Ali had was an excellent judgment of distance, extremely elite range negotiation skills. When you combine this with his excellent head movement, turning his head on impact, as well as his ATG chin - well, it makes for a special fighter.

Ali's durability to the body was absolutely insane!

 

His speed and footwork was his best assest during his peak between 64-67 he didn't really have to show durability because of how fast he was of hand and foot speed.

His durability was only his best assest when he was past his prime and no longer had his speed and legs.

 

That’s why I would say I disagree with the OP, too - though I see his point. Maybe you could say durability was most important taking his whole career into account…I prefer to judge him on his best night, & he was all wheels at that stage.

 

I mean, I’ll agree that it isn’t close at least. No chance in hell Ali had the best chin ever.

 

Agreed especially since that's what allowed him to win fights against the best fighters he faced when his athleticism started to decline and his technical flaws began to be exploited

 

Liston was in his early 40's when he fought Ali. He went into their first fight carrying a shoulder injury and barely trained. Took a dive in the second.

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(cause the ropes were loose and Ali leaned on them).

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. If he would have thrown combinations instead of just 1 punch at a time, Shavers would have KO'd Ali. Basically, Shavers failed to go after Ali after he had him hurt.

 

I disagree.
Ali had the best body durability, but not chin.
He barely got hit by the big punchers he faced.
His chin is still A level, just not the best.