Yes. Ali easily can handle the 'size of a Lewis' That's not saying he can handle the REAL Lennox Lewis though. If we had a time machine and I had to bet all my college tuition on the best version of LL vs the best version of Ali. I will put all my college tuition and my mom's house on Lennox. I trust him.
Lewis was the unbeaten Euopean ,and WBC heavyweight champion when he fought Bruno, but if you disagree ,how about his fight with the 6'1"Ray Mercer whose 77" reach out jabbed him for protracted stretches of their fight?
I think it would be even harder against Wlad, because he's so extremely precise in doing what he does best (and Ali certainly won't pressure him to "panic"). Lewis was better at keeping a cool head in adversity and adapting, but was also more prone to lose concentration, I'd say. I think that Wlad's more robotic approach would serve him well here. Ali was great at dropping his right over a jab, though, and if he could do it enought against Wlad to disrupt his rhytm things would get interesting indeed. The jab is the key in both match-ups IMO.
Biggest reason I think Wlad would be an issue is he'd outjab Ali, and when the great one tried to work his game in the clinch, he'd be completely overpowered. I think he'd be able to get that right hand over the top, because Wlad sometimes extends it as a range finder. These are the times for Ali to score. Pot-shotting outside, he loses a decision, as he'd be totally corralled when they came together. He'd have to box an aggressive counter-punchers fight, on the move and taking every opening with gusto. I think he'd do it; He did it before. But its a hard fight for him.
Terell didn't hit as hard either, but I do think Ali could match up well vs. super heavies pre Frazier because he was very fast on his feet and had a quick jab.
Its amazing how people are picking the same Lewis to beat Ali who stuggled vs a 37 year old former cruiserweight named Holyfield in their second fight. Ali does virtually everything better than holyfield, he is much faster with both hands and feet, he would have a much higher work rate and stamina than the old version of Holyfield Regardless of how "big" Lewis was, i very much doubt he could hit any harder than Liston, Foreman or Shavers and Ali showed he could handle their power. Lewis is a little too cautious to beat Ali. Ali would simply give him a boxing lesson.
The size of Lewis is not an issue. Ali took on guys that were as big height wise, and I'm a firm believer that there is no such thing as universally good weight at heavyweight, there's only what is good for the individual. Two guys can be the same size and weight with one being solid muscle, and the other being soft. Lewis would present problems to Ali due to his jab, versatility, (ability to box, ability to go out in seek and destroy mode and punch) and ring IQ. And prime Ali's handspeed, mobility and accurate punching would pose serious problems for Lewis, and I think Lewis would have a tough time pinning Ali down. It's similar with the Klitschkos, except I think Ali has an easier time with them than with Lewis.
That's Cleveland Williams right? A KO on a crippled guy who was shot(literally) and had his intestines removed........... What are you implying? Ali would shoot Lewis so he would be "shot" too?
Going by their pro debuts till their last or highest weight fight, Wlad had put on more mass than Lewis and continues to be ripped where Lewis looked soft at higher weights. These are FACTS. So if you think Lewis juiced, you must think Wlad has to, right? I would pick Ali, but not with ease. Lewos would have a combination of size, speed, power and skills Ali would have to adjust to. Ali by close but unanimous decision.
That version of Williams probably doesnt make it out of the dressing room against Lewis. If he does he never sees the 2nd round.
Yeah, he well might. After getting outboxed early and rocked by Wlad's right I can see him making it into a brawl (like he did against Vitaly) and take Wlad out into deep waters.
Wlad gained about 10lbs as a pro, his 20 or 21 year old weight was boy weight. lewis on the other hand was all juice and all his weight gain came from a bottle. Prime Ali would not only win every round against Lewis, he would KO him in 8 or less.