Ali couldn't fight, are you effin' kiddin' me ?!!

[THE THIRD MAN]

I agree that Muhammad Ali is absolutely one of the greatest of All-Time.

However, a few details about the PRIME Ali that a few younger $#!t-snaps may not be aware of.
(I don't want to get into too much detail about the faded Ali in the mid to late 70's)



In 1963, 185 lb Henry Cooper damn near knocked out Ali with a single left hook right near the end of the rd.
If Angie didn't split Ali's glove to buy time, Cooper may've got him.

Also in 1963, 188 lb Doug Jones beat Ali but was robbed in the decision. Ali was booed out of Madison Square Garden.

Ali fought 3 fights in 1963. The other fight was against a journeyman named Charley Powell.
Somehow these last 2 questionable wins over Cooper and Doug Jones earned Ali a shot at Sonny Liston in early '64.

191 lb Sonny Banks dropped Ali in 1962 with a single left hook.

The Hard Rock from Canada George Chuvalo tore Ali's body apart for 15 rds in 1966, and though George didn't win the fight, he ought to have been awarded a few more rds for the relentless body attack.
It wasn't so one-sided as people like to think.

People also forget: 22 year old Ali basically quit in his first title challenge of Sonny Liston in 1964 citing Liston cheating by robbing liniment into his eyes.
Ali wanted to cut the gloves off to prove dirty things were afoot, and only Angelo Dundee kept Ali in that fight.

That's all the prime Ali of the 60's.

I believe Ali was one of the great ones, but I don't think he was absolutely "The Greatest."

Too many stylistic flaws which he overcame with speed and athleticism.

Ali in the 70's? There were unquestionably a few shenanigans, a few clear losses, some ring-robberies and some gift decisions because he was the biggest draw in sports.


Ali's many wins still outshine the shortcomings especially in beating two murderous punchers who were deemed unbeatable in Sonny Liston and George Foreman.

Muhammad Ali fought 'em all. He talked the talk, but he walked the walk too.

Tremendous toughness and Heart displayed by Ali in the 70's which Ali often had to rely on after the speed of his youth was gone.


^ Not meant at all as a hit-piece, but these shortcomings must be considered when assessing a fighter.

People are beginning to over analyze the career of Muhammad Ali, so he had some close scrapes in the early 60's...big deal. Both Doug Jones and Henry Cooper were very good fighters. How lucky was Joe Frazier against Oscar Bonavena in their first fight? Let's take Sugar Ray Robinson for example, recognized throughout the boxing world as arguably the greatest fighter of all time. He had some very close calls and like Ali was the beneficiary of a long count. Fighting Artie Levine in 1946 "Sugar..was almost kayoed in the fourth round. A left hook, followed by a right cross, both to the chin, put (him) down and almost out...Sugar rose unsteadily and called upon all his ring skill and stamina to last out the round...Sugar had several other close calls during the course of the evening.

Even earlier in 1945 Robinson had his difficulties with Jose Basora The official round-by-round scorecards were: Daggert, 4-4-2; Lasky 5-4-1 in favor of Basora; Knaresborough 6-4 in favor of Robinson. It was a hard-fought but not exciting battle, except for several sizzling exchanges. Basora counterpunched effecively. Robinson landed more punches but missed a lot. Neither fighter seemed able to hurt the other. Basora's manager, Chris Dundee, said "We ain't satisfied with a draw." Robinson said "I did my beat but wasn't at my best. Basora is a tough boy, maybe not so tough as Jake LaMotta, but tough enough."

In 1942 Robinson wins a split decision over Marty Servo finally losing his first fight a year later against arch rival Jake La Motta

How does one explain Robinson's 1955 loss to 52-32-5 Ralph Tiger Jones who was coming off 5 straight losses in a row? One judge had the fight a shut out for Jones!

So before we become too critical of Ali maybe we need to take a long look at many others who had similar difficulties on the way to being 'The Greatest'