Why did The Greatest lose to basically a one-armed fighter?

:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl:rofl

 

Further to what the other posters have said about Frazier's endurance and other physical qualities, I would also add another stylistic one.

As well as being a fast and powerful left hook, it was also a punch that was deceptive. Frazier was very good at throwing the hook tight as well as wide, but he never telegraphed his punches.

 

It was more to do with Frazier's constant pressuring. Post '67 Ali's legs didn't keep him out of trouble as easy and basically he allowed Frazier to pummel away at him, winning rounds and wearing him down further.

A pre-exile Ali may well have been able to keep out of the way of Frazier and expose Joe's own faults a lot easier ( I suspect a mid-fight stoppage in Ali's favour if a prime Frazier fought a prime Ali).

 

Great analysis!

 

:tired

 

Liston had a great left hook ,so did Patterson,,they didnt do so well.

 

When you are fighting a guy nearly 4 inches smaller who fight s out of a crouch ,a lot of your punches are going over his head,and,if he is a good hooker ,when you uppercut him ,or try to,you are very vulnerable to the hook.Not only Alis jaw took punishment ,he had contusions on his hips from Fraziers incessant hooks.

 

The fact of the matter is that post exile Ali lost a lot of mobility and some speed, reflex and stamina among other things. I reckon you'd agree that the earlier version of Ali wouldn't have been in the pocket anywhere near as often. Personally, like you i am not convinced of this weakness.

 

Fraziers biggest weapon was his left hook Alis was his legs,against Frazier he didnt have them,imo if Ali had fought Joe in his prime ,and I mean during those 3 years he was banned he would have been 3 - 0 against him.Still not at his best ,against a man in his prime,who fought the fight of his life ,he gave Frazier hell and hospitalized him,wonderful performances by both men.

 

It´s really no criticism or so, but IMO the 60s-version of Ali was really quicker on his feet, but his chin/ physical wasn´t the same like later when he got stronger and more muscular. IMO this version of Ali would get KO´d against Frazier...

 

Agreed.

 

Frazier was as good as he ever got, Ali wasn't.

:good

 

Cooper caught Ali by throwing 3 jabs ,which Ali backed away from rather than slipping the problem was that the ropes were behind him ,so there was nowhere to go the ropes contributed to his kd ,but they may also have helped him as he had a gentle drop rather than a concussive thud onto the canvas,I dont but it that if the kd had happenend earlier he would have been kod,he was up quick a bit groggy but not out of it.Howard Davis seemmed to me to have a morbid fear of being tagged ,and was allways going in reverse as he delivered a punch ,even a jab,he had talent but lacked abit of ticker,imo,skill wise he should have beaten Watt,but he didnt have the grit for it.