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Over the past 25 years or so, there have been many fighters winning titles multiple times (4-time welterweight champ, 6-time featherweight/jr lightweight champ......)
I've always felt the that Ali's 3-time title feat trumped any other fighter, including Henry Armstrong.
Very Wrong,Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleepwalker
First, look at who Muhammad Ai lost to. Leon Spinks, a 7-Bout Professional who actually
got an undeserved Draw in a previous bout {with Scott LeDoux}, and barely scraped by
Italian - Alfio Righetti.
Second, Muhammad Ali avoided fighting Ken Norton {who actually deserved the next bout}.
Third, Muhammad Ali had agreed to defend his Championship against Larry Holmes in
December 1977, and pulled out, claiming that he was too battered by Earnie Shavers
in September 1977.
We all know, that Larry would have wiped the floor with Muhammad.
So, did Muhammad Ali give himself a gift when he lost to Leon Spinks ................. YES.
Henry Armstrong's feat is the best and can never happen again
Foreman winning heavyweight championship at 45 comes to mind.
Muhammad Ali
'Patty-Caked' his way to defeating an 'un-focused' and mentally confused Leon Spinks, who
had '3' different cornermen giving him instructions during the rematch.
Muhammad Ali didn't really fight > he slapped, held and ran his way to a victory.
Well he did amazing well from doing that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom
If it was that easy why don't other fighters try it?
Sad Ali was not allowed to fight 67-70. I can only speculate how impressive he would have been.
The rematch 'Sucked'.Quote:
Originally Posted by MasterWell he did amazing well from doing that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom
If it was that easy why don't other fighters try it?
Heavyweights are supposed to fight and punch, not play 'slappy-slappy' like the Three Stooges.
Ever see clay ~slappy-ducky-sucky-slap~ against Earnie Shavers? Ernie just blocked all 14 slaps, smiled, shrugged his shoulders AND CAME 'BACK' throwing dynamite.
I'm inclined to agree with Bill here:-X Ali upsetting Foreman was obviously special and the most significant case of a HW reclaiming the title, but the Spinks fights were in fact rubbish. Ali was almost completely shot and fighting a novice, those fights really shouldn't count for much. I'd even say Holyfield is a more legitimate 3 time world champion for beating John Ruiz, lol.
In the rematch,
Muhammad Ali won, but really lost.
He showed the World he was really shot.
And poor Leon, was exposed as a fighter in need of much improvement.
Yes after 20 years of boxing he was shot. How could that be?Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom
Fighters do do it but get criticized for stinking the place out. Its where the golden oldies blind viewpoints come inQuote:
Originally Posted by MasterWell he did amazing well from doing that.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Paxtom
If it was that easy why don't other fighters try it?
Ali's feat in no way compares to Armstrong's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleepwalker
Armstrong's was truly unprecedented & probably never be matched, whereas Ali should never have lost to Spinks.
"Excellent, Accurate and Well-Stated"Quote:
Originally Posted by Syntax ErrorAli's feat in no way compares to Armstrong's.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sleepwalker
Armstrong's was truly unprecedented & probably never be matched, whereas Ali should never have lost to Spinks.