Could an Ali handle the size of Lewis?

I'm not sure why questions like these repeatedly surface on Classic.

Complete non issue here. You'd need the extreme size disparity of Fulton-Langford for stature difference to matter significantly to a heavyweight ATG. Even then, an aged, faded and very badly overweight Qawi, at 5'5-1/2," stole some rounds from a 6'4" 232 pound Foreman [George's lowest competitive weight during his second career], and actually stood up to the bigger man surprisingly well for as long as it lasted.

Marciano nearly killed the 6'4" Vingo. [Incredibly, considering that outcome, Carmine, now at age 83 and reportedly living in Florida, has apparently survived long enough to become Rocky's final living professional opponent.] Rocky quickly adapted to the 6'5," 220 pound Johnny Shkor, and the visual disparity between Marciano and Ali wasn't so much as to stretch credulity in their staged performance during Muhammad's exile. [Tyson's career should have retroactively enhanced Rocky's credibility in that respect.]

Louis crushed plenty of big guys, like Simon, Buddy Baer, and Carnera. Buddy Baer II should be particularly instructive here.

Holmes was recorded at 6'3" for Cooney, to Gerry's reported 6'7." Larry said the morning after that it wasn't a particularly difficult match for him, compared to others he'd previously had. Most observers agreed.

Ten Hoff stood 6'4," and had an 84 inch reach, well schooled with an effective jab and good mobility. One might expect those assets to take him a long way from the mid 1940s to the mid 1950s, but he never broke through to the world class level. In addition to not having much of a chin, he sustained five decision losses.

Nobody talks about Tyson's lack of height and reach. Everybody saw him out jab the 6'5" Tony Tucker late in their unification match, and he dominated plenty of opponents with a far greater height and reach disparity over him than what's being discussed here. [Shortly after Douglas upset him, he guested as a WWF referee in a match involving Hulk Hogan. They looked to be of similar stature, with Buster in his clothes. In Tokyo, Mike did flatten Douglas with a single punch, and nearly knocked him out.]

Ali was able to handle the aggressively utilized superhuman strength of Foreman. There's not a scintilla of competitive footage from his prime career to suggest greater height and weight would have ever posed any kind of obstacle to him. If Lennox couldn't beat Ali if standing 6'2" and weighing 215, then he couldn't beat Ali if at his actual competitive height and weights.

Skill, speed, power, technique, punch resistance and resistance to cuts, conditioning and stamina, talent, determination and many other factors come to the fore ahead of height, weight and reach.

Under the NBA basket, Rodman dominated Shaq for rebounds in H2H competition, and we know who won the most championships between Chamberlain and Russell. [Hint: It wasn't the much bigger man!]

 

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It's what happens when a new bunch of idiots or guys who've only been watching boxing for a year and usually post in General Forum come over here.

Honest ignorance and not having watched the fights of a past era isn't so bad, it's the ones who are determined to be mrons like frankenwank that make me go :verysad

 

Lewis is an over-rated joke. He gets absolutely schooled by a prime Clay.

 

I was going to type this reply to my post for you, so you wouldn't have to bother, but just got lazy. Sorry 'bout that. [Maybe next time, old friend.]

 

Yes, of course he could. It's really a question of ability more than anything, as has always been the case.

 

The only version that Lewis has a shot at is the post 76 version. Lewis could only beat good fighters when they were past their prime.

 

But by the same token, Lewis wasn't much of an infighter either. This works both ways. What is he going to do if he's being outjabbed by Ali? Outsped? Take Lewis' outside game away, and what else does he have?

And by all means include the Kllitschko's in this. If Wladimir only had a miserable 22% connect percentage against David Haye, then it's quite possible that number falls even further against a truly elusive opponent, but one that isn't afraid to hit back.

Vitali? I think he'd be an awkwardly tough opponent for Ali, but also slow and ponderous by comparison.

And Lewis' problem with Mercer had nothing to do with the ring, and everything to do with his inability to hurt Mercer. That forced Lewis to rely on assests other than power, and honestly? When it came down to pure boxing ability Lewis could be found wanting at times.

 

Boxed Ears,

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Damn right!..Very well said, cut and dry...besides size wize Lewis was just a black version of Oscar Bonavena right!?..Ali destroys him:good

 

Lennox Lewis gets WAYYYYYY too much credit.

You know who doesn't get enough credit for being a really good fighter? Tony Tucker. If not for Tyson, he would've ruled the 80's. His only legitimate loss was to a prime Tyson, and he stood his ground decently well. The Tucker of the 80's would've beat Lewis.

 

could mercer, rahman, mccall, holyfield (second fight) handle lewis's size? yes

muhammad would beat lewis, i have no doubt about it