Why did Ali slug with Frazier in FOTC?

He would have lost worse if he didn't.

Edit: ThinBlack! :fire

 

Ali couldn't stay away from him; The old, limitless supply of muscular stamina below the waist was no more.

He had to throw hard and land with hopes to get Joe's respect and deter him.

 

Was anybody EVER able to consistently box Frazier? I cant think of a single fighter who was able to box him.

 

Ali did a great job in the second fight. Probably as well as anybody ever managed.

 

A, lot of holding though.

 

Ali's holding in the first three rounds was far from excessive.

I got the sense that, as the fight unfolded, and he realized the referee would quite simply break them all night, he took the easy option.

To quote Big George, "It ain't cheating till the ref tells you it is!"

 

After three and a half years out he did not trust his legs,and remember it was over 15 rounds.

 

Deep down I reckon our man,Ali,realised that he was still a little too rusty to beat Joe at that particular time using his most effective gameplan,which would have been dancing in the early stages. So he decided to go for the kayo as early as possible. Even though it did n't work out for him,it was still a great performance in a way. And he showed the doubters,once and for all,that he had a great chin and heart.

 

Agreed. Ali would have adapted somehow.

 

I would add that all great boxers have the facility to turn tiger if they have to.

Tommy Loughran couldn't break an egg, but he occasionally out slugged sluggers if that was what it took to get the job done.