Probably the "Rope-A-Dope" wasn't Ali's original plan. Foreman surprised everyone by how effectively he cut the ring off on Ali, even Ali himself. But Ali adjusted, improvised , and wound up kicking ass, like only a great fighter could do.
All those long, drawn out, arrogant, aggravating, gaudy ring entrances he used to make, the ******* was shown up by one of the classiest fighters in the game, and in such a masterful way. It made an instant Barerra fan out of me. I stayed that way too, even in his last couple of fights, especially the Pacman loss when he even lost in a classy way, like he wanted to. I too enjoy watching that Hamed fight for the simple pleasure of watching an especially enjoyable classic boxing exhibition.
PBF-Corrales PBF-Hatton Spinks-Mayorga Shane-Vargas Brewster-Golota Gatti-Dorin Gatti-Ward III Cotto-Mosely Cotto-Judah B-Hop-Tito Calzaghe-Kessler Judah-Spinks Forrest-Shane Winky-Shane Mayorga-Forrest P Williams-Margarito Margarito-Cintron Witter-Viv Harris JMM-Barrera Pac-Morales II and III Pac-Barrera RJ-Ruiz Toney-Jirov Toney Holyfield Lennox-Holyfield Lennox-Rahman II Ali-Liston That's enough for now.
Clay against Liston - floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee. Ali against Foreman - the rope a dope. Duran against Leonard in Montreal - the brawl and mauling tactics. Holyfield against Tyson in 1996 - stealing punching room and wearing him down. Hopkins against Trinidad - moving to the opposite side of Tito's left hand. Hatton against Tszyu - the rough-house tactics. Mayweather against Judah - Steady and consistent pressure. Calzaghe against Lacy - short fast punching inside against the bully and get out. Pavlik against Miranda ( and Hoya against Mayorga) - make an offensive fighter fight moving backwards.
Bhop against Tito IMO is the most complete ownage of an A level fighter maybe ever. You could visibly watch Bhop set Tito up, trap to trap to trap...and then finish him off in the final round...absolutely absurd how comprehensive Bhop dismantled Tito.
Mayweather against Hatton was a pretty good example of how to follow and execute a plan. Expected the early rush, used his body well to tie Hatton up and give him no room, then slowly started picking him off before an excellent finish.
Randall -Chavez 1 Spinks-Qwai Muhhamed-Marvin johnson Starling-Honeyghan Whitaker-Nelson Winky-Tito Pendleton-Spann Brazier-Meekins 2 Ali-Foreman Jimmy Young-Foreman Buddy Mugirt-Simon Brown Buddy Mugirt-Warren 2 Roger Mayweather-Pazienza Roger Mayweather-Munoz Floydd Mayweather-Hatton Floydd Mayweather-Corrales
Might have.....George use to say in his 80's preaching days.....ever time he saw Ali in the shape he's in, that George wished he never had hit him.
Not too well remembered, but Mike Rossman (The Jewish Bomber) was pefection in Galindez I. And Schmeling vs Louis? "I sink I sees zomesing".....and he did..like a right hand bouncing off Joe's jaw all nite long until Louis finally goes down head first.