Ali was always vulnerable to a good left hook, even in his early days. He fought with his hands low and relied on his reflexes, and often paid for it in his early days, as he was rocked and dropped a few times by mid-level fighters because he got careless. A prime Ali just pre-exhile was a much better fighter, smarter, but he still fought with a similar style, a few adjustments. Against Tyson, he's facing a deadly puncher with a great arsenal of punches, one he can't afford to make a stupid mistake against. If Ali fights the perfect fight early on and gets to frustrating Tyson by the mid-rounds he could cruise to a Decision, but I doubt he'd stay on his feet the entire time. Ali's defensive flaws could easily come into play though, as Tyson was a better puncher than anyone Ali ever faced, and had the ability to get inside the jab of Ali like no other with his head movement. Both were vulnerable to certain tactics, both are capable of winning and losing this fight. As for Ali vs the other big Heavies, I just think Holmes's longer, sharper jab would be key against Ali, who, despite having better movement, isn't quite as technically sound as Holmes. Ali's movement and speed is capable of giving Holmes trouble as well though. Against Lewis, Ali faces a larger, skilled boxer-puncher with good inside skills. I have a hard time seeing Ali box circles around someone with not only the physical advantages Lewis holds, but again, technically he would be difficult for Ali to solve. Still, Ali's movement and speed could prove key in all these bouts, and he's capable of winning them all. Ali should've been mentioned among my HW choices.
HEAVY holyfield CRUISER holyfield LIGHT HEAVY mattew saad muhammud SUP MIDDLE RJJ MIDDLE monzon/hagler L.MIDDLE hearns WELTER robinson LIGHT WELTER arron pryor LIGHTWEIGHT duran SUP FEATHER alexis argullero FEATHER salvador sanchez SUPER BANTAM r. marquez BANTAM jofre SUPER FLY tapia FLY cant deciede LIGHT FLY AND STRAW ricardo lopez
So what has Pac done at LW and LWW to make you think he's the best ever head to head? You'd take Pac to beat Whitaker at LW? Chavez? Ike Williams?
I am the PACFAN, but the idea he could live with Duran or Whitaker at lightweight, or many more, or many many more at light-welterweight, is ridiculous. At the lower weights, a different story, but not at 135 or 140.
It's not what Pac has done. Thread starter said don't look at records just head to head. Just wait till Pac Prove it after DLH & Hatton.
And why will beating Pac and Hatton, if he indeed does, mean he'll beat Duran/Whitaker primes at lightweight, or a Pryor at light welter? You are are a complete ****ing douche.
HEAVY: Mike Tyson, with Ali and Holmes making a strong bid CRUISER: Evander Holyfield LIGHT-HEAVY: Ezzard Charles SUPER-MIDDLE: Roy Jones Jr. MIDDLE: Hagler LIGHT-MIDDLE: Thomas Hearns WELTER: Sugar Ray Robinson LIGHT-WELTER: Whitaker LIGHT: Duran SUPER-FEATHER: Chavez FEATHER: Sandy Saddler SUPER-BANTAM: Wilfredo Gomez BANTAM: Ruben Olivares SUPER-FLY: Johnny Tapia FLY: Jimy Wilde LIGHT-FLY: Jung-Koo Chang STRAW/MINIMUM: Ricardo Lopez
Heavy: Ali Cruiser: Marciano LH: Spinks SM: Jones & Calz Mid: Monzon Welter: SRR JR Welt: Pryor Light: Duran/ Whitaker/ Floyd Feather: Sanchez