Why do great boxers lost footspeed before handspeed?

Think it has more to do with stamina and reflexes. Ali couldn’t dance for 10-15 rounds anymore so he limited it. That and Foreman was excellent at cuting off the ring. To answer your question footwork may be more reactive which would be slower as opposed to any action a fighter may take. There respective reflexes are slower

 

General wear and tear? Everyone uses their legs more than their hands, I suppose that kind of extra usage can play apart at the highest level?

That's all I got. @Gazelle Punch stole what I was gonna say. Stamina plays a big part. Ali's feet still look great in the first round of the Norton fights, not so much the last.

 

It's the same for everyone.
Feet and knees support the body weight. They wear out quicker. You lose spring in your step.
I'm about the age Foreman was in the last few fights, and my knees feel decades older than my arms and shoulders.

 

Solid points as well...can’t beat Father Time always wins

 

I heard it’s because they do so much roadwork ....They say it’s better to jump rope . Saoul Mamby was a fighter who jumped rope instead of running and he never lost his legs . He was still fighting at 61

 

A great observation and something ive thought about a lot lately .

There is absolutely no question foot speed goes before hand. If i may state something without coming off foolish or conceited...I had something of a nondescript amateur career and carried on hitting the bag until now...i still retain pretty quick hands as i had fast hands as a youth. But somewhere just after 35 the foot speed and comfort doing pivots went down the crapper. Id still jog and say to myself...well im jogging fine...youd think if i can jog 2 miles in 7.30m pace still...my feet ought to be ok..but nah


Anyway going from a nobodylike me...to the greats...yes ...look at srl in the norris fight...before he got clocked at the end of the 2nd round and became gun shy...he showed blistering hand speed ...superior to norris..but rays feet were dead like in concrete and that along with his reflexes having deterioted from inactivity cost him

Ali kept up the ability to punch fast longer than the same speed of foot

 

Interesting Isn’t it? I’m not sure if it holds true for all great combat athletes, eg Dominick Cruz, Former UFC bantamweight champion, he’s 35 and his footwork and foot speed is still top of the heap, maybe it doesn’t happen to lighter fighters as drastically? Idk but it definitely seems to be a trend in Boxing, especially amongst the heavyweights

 

It's mainly stamina and nothing to do with the legs themselves. Moving on your feet is tiring and stamina is the first thing to fade as you age (usually). Also been in Zaire where it's really hot means you will tire quicker anyway. Look in the first round and his legs and movement were pretty much fine, but he realised he was going to burn out if he kept going.

 

On top of what others have said, a part of being bouncy on your feet isn't even muscles, but the elasticity of tendons. That probably contibutes to it.

 

Probably has to do with him being a bantamweight in addition to modern medicine. A lot easier to maintain foot speed and agility compared to a 200+ pound athlete carrying lots of stockyness and muscle. Stamina plays a role too as heavier creatures burn up energy faster. No matter how in shape a heavyweight is he won't be able to match the work rate of guys in the lower weights.