Who had the best ring smarts?

Ali

 

I was split between Ali & Leonard but opted for Ali.
Here`s how I would place them.....

1. Ali
2. Leonard
3. Hopkins
4. Mayweather

I almost picked Leonard because dont forget his battles vs the other 4 ATGs, Benitez, Duran, Hearns & Hagler - he used a different fighting style vs each one of those guys & beat them all but then I remembered the differences in Ali`s style vs Liston, Williams & Terrell when at his peak then also Frazier, Foreman & Quarry in the 70s, not 1 of those fight did Ali use the same strategy or style - he just knew how best to fight most opponents, quite amazing really.

I give Hopkins more props than FMJ as a thinking fighter because he is less athletic & doesnt have the speed of Floyd to get out of trouble, still tho, not a great deal between all 4 fighters IMO. Good thread.

 

Everyone on the list had exceptional raw abilities except for Hopkins. I wonder how those guys would've fared had they been "normal" in terms of their raw abilities.

 

Mike Jones

 

Ali .. I mean he invented the ropa dope !

 

Ali

 

None of the above.

The Klitschkos are way smarter than all of them inside and outside of the ring.

 

tko6.

 

Bhop

 

Vitali Klitschko vs Lennox Lewis

THE FACTS

Vitali took the fight on just 10 days notice.

Vitali was clearly winning the fight 4-2 on all 3 scorecards at the time of the controversial doctor stoppage. Lewis barely survived the 2nd round and was out on his feet, he was badly hurt, holding on for dear life, wobbling everywhere and staggering around the ring like a drunk. Lewis was badly hurt out on his feet several times in the fight and was getting outslugged, outworked, outmuscled, outclassed, outlanded and outboxed by Vitali.

punches landed

Vitali 156

Lewis 102


Lewis was exhausted, worn down and hurt from the accumulation of punches and was ready to get KTFO again, he collapsed onto his stool at the end of the 6th round, Vitali was clearly the fresher of the two, he would've KO'd Lewis for sure if the fight had continued.

After the fight, Vitali intimidated the **** out of Lewis and made him look like a *****. The whole crowd cheered for Vitali and booed Lewis.

Lewis promised Vitali a rematch.

Vitali destroyed Kirk Johnson in 2 rounds and called out Lewis again in the post fight interview. The gutless coward Lewis retired shortly after that fight.

Lewis turned down 40 million dollars for a rematch and retired like a coward because he knew he would get destroyed by Vitali.

Vitali dominated Lewis and scared his ***** ass into retirement.

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George Foreman: "Vitali was winning the fight. Lewis got lucky. There has to be a rematch!"

Jim Lampley: "A lucky escape for Lewis who was clearly losing the fight"

Even Emanuel Steward was upset and pissed off at Lewis for blatantly ducking a Vitali rematch.

Lewis is scared to death of Vitali.

 

Soo.... Tko6?

 

You forgot notable scorecards:

All 3 judges: 58-56 Vitali

HBO: 58-56 Vitali

Sky: 58-56 Vitali

Lennox's Mom: 58-56 Vitali

 

Vitali got robbed. The corrupt doctor and ref were on Lennox's payroll.

It should've been a TD win for Vitali.

Official Scorecards:

Pat Russell: Vitali 58-56
James Jen-Kin: Vitali 58-56
Tom Kaczmarek: Vitali 58-56

Other Scorecards:

HBO: Vitali 58-56

Sky Sports: Vitali 58-56

Lennox's mom: Vitali 58-56


Vitali wasn't even in his prime yet.

Lewis was 37 when he got his ass whooped by Vitali.

Vitali is 40 and is still dominant HW champ.

Lewis was coming off the win over Tyson. In the Lewis-Tyson post fight interview Lewis stated "I'm like fine wine, I get better with age"

In an interview right before the Vitali fight, Lewis said "I'm at the peak of my powers, I will keep fighting for many more years"

Lewis will be remembered as a gutless coward who got his ass whooped by Vitali, blatantly ducked a rematch and retired with his tail between his legs.

 

:rofl oops my bad

 

TKO 6 :hey