I think Holyfield beats 70s Foreman is that an unpopular opinion?

Well, that’s your opinion and I obviously disagree. Sweet.

 

I can guarantee that Ali was not impressed or intimidated by Foreman or anyone else hitting a heavy bag. Most boxers would not be impressed.

 

Part of the reason for hitting a heavy bag is to get some “swing” in the bag so the boxer can step around and to move and counter. Wailing on a heavy bag endlessly is a sure way to bust up a fighters hands. Obviously there is no replacement for mitt work and it much easier on the hands and a more effective training tool overall.

 

The heavy bag is multi purposed but primarily used for developing punch technique, punch power and for conditioning of the wrists/hands to cope with the resistance. The training includes trainers sometimes holding the bag in place. It really is that simple.

Did Foreman manage to trap Ali on the ropes and wail with hellacious shots to the body as he did on the heavy bag? Yes he did. Did Ali partially volunteer himself on the ropes. Yes he did but it was the lesser of two evils between that and trying to move around Foreman and being caught while off the ropes.

Ali had brittle hands and sometimes, due to same, had to abstain from heavy bag work a few weeks prior to fight time. Never heard of Foreman having any issues with his hands let alone breaking them.

Notably, Zaire was one of the few fights in which Ali had absolutely no trouble with his hands and was therefore able to punch with impunity during training and during the actual fight.