The flaws in Ali's game

The lack of body shots stand out to me. He also lacked power for a man of his size (I know more of a natural disadavantage) but it could be why his body attack was lacking.

 

Nice story - Thanks. It's the truth - No way did Ali go down from that punch.

 

I agree with most of this.

As per Ali's technique when punching: I'd say that effective punching even when tired isn't so much technique as it is a form of conditioning and muscle memory. With experience, fighters learn how to "fight when tired" -how to conserve energy, pick shots, and throw shots properly even though your lungs feel like they're going to explode.

 

Yeah, another way of putting it would be that his conditioning and stamina kept his effective punching and technique together when he needed it.

I've noticed that about De La Hoya when it comes to being fatigued. When he's tired he becomes erratic and wide with his punches.

One thing about Ali that doesn't get talked about as often as it should. His accuracy. Obviously depending on the opponent as he was more accurate against certain styles. But nonetheless he was consistently reliable when it came to landing. And his finishing of a wounded opponent was also impressive.

 

Wouldn't you call this "muscle memory" technique then? That you've practiced and practiced so hard that the moves gets ingrained in your brain stem, so that you can perform them satisfactory no matter how tired you are.

 

Yes, Ali had speed and precision. Good point.

 

You're good. Muscle memory is probably the foundation of good technique.

 

Yeah, that's what I think as well.

Even a rank amateur like myself can perhaps look relatively good (relative to being a rank amateur, that is) when fresh, but when I get tired the limbs tend to go all over the place. Then and when I'm put under sustained pressure.

But the guys that really know their thing continue to look good. It's so automatic for them.