Muhammad Ali was less than three months away from his 33rd birthday when he whupped Big George and he was your quintessential reflex fighter and they age the fastest.
Yes but census are recorded in April so if it was April of '40 and he was supposedly born in June of '30 he would've been 9 on the census not 10.
Sluggers have the longest shelf lives and reflex fighters have the shortest shelf lives. Reflexes are the first thing to go. That's simple physiology.
I said Ali was your quintessential reflex fighter. They have the shortest shelf lives. You introduced Frazier and Marciano. They are your quintessential pressure fighters. They also have shorter shelf lives because they absorb so much punishment. Liston was a slugger. They absorb less punishment and theoretically should age the best. That's why George Foreman was able to capture the heavyweight title at 45 years old.
That's not true at all. Swarmers have the shortest shelf lives and absorb far more punishment than Ali-types. Also, Ali had a three year lay-off which might've helped him a wee bit in terms of longevity. It's true Sluggers age the best because they absorb less punishment, and usually don't depend on a reflex based defense that erodes with age, as boxers and swarmers do. I wouldn't necessarily categorize Liston as a slugger though. He was more of a boxer-puncher to me. But regardless, a fighters' skill, defense, speed, etc all erode with age regardless of the punishment (or lack thereof) that they took. Boxers aren't immune to aging and father time.
There is a famous YouTube where Cus D'Amato points out to Ali that even the slightest lapse in reflex time leaves him vulnerable because of his style . The fact that he accomplished so much after his God given attributes faded is a testament to his greatness. And even if he sat on his couch for his three and one half year exile his reflexes waned with age. Your reflexes peak at twenty four yeas old and after that it declines. The laws of physiology are immutable. My point wasn't to suggest Liston wasn't past it when he lost to. Ali but to state Ali enjoyed his greatest triumphs in the ring when he was past it.
Great question Rich and one I can’t answer for certain. Though I did complete one, very important, mandatory, precasting check box that I wasn’t 100% sure about - Mr Lloyd is still alive! Tbh, one of my favourite actors, now 83 yo - good on him!
[QUOTE="ThatOne, post: 21780043, member: 125740" Your reflexes peak at twenty four yeas old and after that it declines.[/QUOTE] Man, someone forgot to tell me that. I think my reflexes peaked around 17. Somebody owes me seven years.
We’re splitting hairs here. Someone said Liston was 41 for the first Ali fight when he was more likely 33 or 34, there’s a helluva difference.
