Did Ali have the defensive skills in the history of the heavyweight division? Where does he rank among the top combo punchers in the division and was he the best counter puncher among the big men OAT? This content is protected
I'd say, best Defence with possibly Fraizer, 5 best combination punching, after Louis, Tyson, Patterson and Dempsey
Funny. Both Frazier and Ali had great defense and movement at their peak, in wildly varying ways. Yet both their styles were unsustainable for their body and careers.
Ali’s defense was all in his amazing footwork and he did something most people don’t do and that’s kept his hands down and leaned back away from punches. You can only do that if you if you’re lightning fast and tall. Which he was. Klitschkos would lean back but usually had their hands up and didn’t have the foot work that Ali did (although they did have good footwork in their own rihht). I’d say guys like Archie Moore Chris Byrd Were prob my two best defensive heavies. Chris Byrd was amazing to watch (if you like defense). Underrated is Frazier’s and Marciano’s defense. Although I’d say marciano was better then Frazier defensively. Mike Tyson was better then both of them prime wise defensively
Ali, was quite a boxer. Never seen a big man box the way he did. Such natural movements, and fluid punches. Ali to me is without a doubt the best pure boxer there has ever been in the heavyweight division. Not the best fighter but on boxing ability its hard to argue against him. What a talent! Yes, Marciano had a bigger punch and more of a work ethic, but out of all the greats and there are many none could move with such grace, ease, just smooth ring generalship as Casisus Clay!!!
