Post-War Ali vs. W. Klitschko

A fair summary. :good

 

Believe me, for whatever it's worth, Amsterdam is serious.

 

"Ali ate technical boxers for breakfast" : you mean technical boxers like Ken Norton (lost 1 out of 3 - should've lost 2 out 3), Doug Jones (close fight that could've gone either way) or Jimmy Young (Young should've gotten the decision) ?

Fact is that Ali lacks the tools that Wlad is weak against: power, agression and pressure. Ali applies none of those. Now of course, Ali could beat him with his lightning speed, doubt there. But it would be a very tough matchup, especially the post-prison Ali who had lost a step in speed.

Ali has more size and technical ability than any opponent Ali had, in his own way. Frazier was great technically, but also predictable in defense and did not have much more than a left hook, yet was able to land it all night. Wlad's hook, while differently applied is at least as fast (very fast) and much harder.

Of course the other way around is also true: Ali has more chin, boxing/survival instinct , speed and mental determination than any of Wlad's opponents. However, the stylistic advantages are on Wlad's side as pointed out before. Wlad's opponent that is closest to Ali is Byrd, who was dominated twice. Of course there are significant differences between Byrd and Ali, but just saying...


Ali is going to have to come in absolutely focused and in top shape like he did in his first fight with Frazier. He has a big size advantage to overcome and post-prison, i think they're pretty close in terms of speed (Wlad's hands are fast as ****). If Ali lays on the ropes he will be picked apart by the current robot-like paced Steward version of Wladimir. Wladimir no longer overpaces himself like Foreman did and he has a lot more tools than Frazier or Norton do. Tough one to call. Ali is the greater fighter, not second of doubt about it, but styles make it very close. For instance, Frazier is about as great as Foreman, but when they faced of it was not even competitive.

 

A lot of people have posted their own theories as to who wins this matchup, some intelligent....some less so.

You don't have to analyse this too closely, just watch some of their fights and come to the logical conclusion that Ali is in a completely different class to Wlad. He may have a few problems with his hight and reach but this would end fairly early. Wlad is just too vulnerable and SHAME on anyone who voted for a Wlad tko. You are know nothing nomarks!

 

Who did Ali ever fight who was similar to Vlad in size, boxing ability and power? I think the answer is nobody. It is impossible to predict what would happen. Same with Ali vs Lenox...I think it is safe to say Ali never faught anyone with Lenox's attributes either. I understand that Vlad is vulnerable, but when he is on his game, he would be a tough fight for anyone who has ever boxed.

It is funny, I grew up in the Ali era. I remember the "oldtimers" talking about how Ali would never beat a prime Joe Louis. Fighters from previous generations are always romanticized as being somehow better than the current generation. I am sure in Joe Louis day, many were sure he could never hang in there with a prime Jack Dempsey...

 

It is strange how some people tend to overrate fighters from the past. Athletes of today are much better than the ones of 30 years ago. You can see the evidence every day in every sport.

People also forget that the level of compatition in the 70s was not that good as it is today. Back then only fighters from a small part of the world were fighting as pros. Huge boxing schools like ex-Communist countries did not go pro at all, others like Germany did not have interest in pros, Afracians and Asians were scarce as well. It wasn\'t trully a global sport as it is for the last decade. Now only Cuba from the big schools restrict pro boxing.

 

Please. The 70s was by far the best decade of HW boxing. It shits all over this rabble the HW division is currently in.

 

Please. Arguments.

 

"big" George Foreman wouldn't so big nowadays standards..i'd say's average fighter on his size.

6'3, 220 lbs

 

See.

He's even got YOU believin' it.

 

I thought he was TkOd by Holmes, and I doubt Wlad would knock Ali out the opposite may be even true though.

 

Pick any of today's 'big' guys vs Foreman. Who do you think would be coming forward and who would be moving back?

 

Ali would stop Wlad late. As it has been mentioned before post war Ali up till 74 in the later 70's he would prolly lose. Ali would be in Wlads head from the press conferences and Ali's mind games alone would contribute to Wlad tiring faster than he normally would and Wlad is all ready known for having stamina problems. Wlad has an awesome right hand but don't assume he will just touch Ali like he did Calvin Brock and put his lights out that aint gonna happen. Even washed up Ali took flush rights from Ernie Shavers in a 15 round fight and had it in him to almost stop Shavers in the 15th. Ali would be difficult for Wlad to nail cleanly as he is very methodical with his predictability and lack of variety in his attack. Ali would land some nice shots throughout the fight and as Wlad tires he would be taken out. Ali had a good punch he stopped some durable fighters he by no means had a weak punch just because he wasn't a one punch artist doesn't mean he lacked a punch. I am sure he had a big enough punch to get Wlad's attention.

 

Foreman's power is overrated. Valuev and Peter coming forward and maybe someones else too..