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

**bradlee180** · 03-06-2013 09:18 PM

Like him or hate him, he fought in what is widely considered to be the greatest era for HW boxing, and he was on the top of the food chain.

The guy fought everybody in arguably the best heavyweight era of all time.

In 1970, the USSRs population was about 240 million people, and they weren't allowed to compete in professional boxing because Communism didn't allow it.

When the doors were finally opened, Russians and other eastern bloc athletes began to dominate Heavyweight Boxing in pretty damn short order! And they continue to do so TO THIS VERY DAY! (Not so much the lighter weights because Russians are on average much physically larger people than Mexicans and Filipinos.)

In any case, if the Russians had been allowed to compete in the 60s and 70s, maybe you never would've even heard of Liston, Frazier, Ali, Foreman, Norton, Holmes, Quarry, Cooper, Chuvalo, Cooney, didja ever think about that, HUH, HUH?!!!

**THE THIRD MAN** · 03-06-2013 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by bradlee180

Like him or hate him, he fought in what is widely considered to be the greatest era for HW boxing, and he was on the top of the food chain.

The guy fought everybody in arguably the best heavyweight era of all time.

In 1970, the USSRs population was about 240 million people, and they weren't allowed to compete in professional boxing because Communism didn't allow it.

When the doors were finally opened, Russians and other eastern bloc athletes began to dominate Heavyweight Boxing in pretty damn short order! And they continue to do so TO THIS VERY DAY! (Not so much the lighter weights because Russians are on average much physically larger people than Mexicans and Filipinos.)

In any case, if the Russians had been allowed to compete in the 60s and 70s, maybe you never would've even heard of Liston, Frazier, Ali, Foreman, Norton, Holmes, Quarry, Cooper, Chuvalo, Cooney, didja ever think about that, HUH, HUH?!!!

They were certainly allowed to compete at the Olympics and Ali, Frazier and Foreman all won Gold medals in their respective divisions competing against....RUSSIANS, did you ever think about that? I don't see any evidence of any Russian dominance throughout the amateur ranks in the 60's and 70's that would've challenged successfully in the Heavyweight division. The Soviets had some success in the Middleweight division winning Gold in 56, 64 and 72, they also won Gold at LH in 68 and that is all they got!

**TysonBomb** · 03-06-2013 09:55 PM

yeah that homo jab jab grab nonsense would've been boring us at an earlier era

you're clearly a K2 fan trying to downplay and undermine what great heavyweights of the past did

**Master** · 03-07-2013 06:41 AM

You do make one interesting point, if there was no colour bar after Johnson, they would have been no legacy left by Dempsey or Tunney.

**johnsebastianmiran** · 03-07-2013 07:23 AM

Right off the bat we know boxing as the manly art of self defense and let's forget about other sports that say they are so tough. Two arms, two legs and the ability to strike, parry and get the hell out of the way. Seriously, how can anyone say that someone holding the title champion can't fight. Ali thought like all athletes that he could go on forever but for all athletes there are flaws they have to compensate for but Ali fought. His natural speed in his youth compensated for any mistakes but all in all he did a good job to stay on top when he wasn't that quick any more he became a fighter because he couldn't bounce around like he did at 22 but he made all the right adjustments and he proved he was tough but I'm sure that speed was something he wish stayed with him a a lot longer.

**bradlee180** · 03-07-2013 08:54 AM

You do make one interesting point, if there was no colour bar after Johnson, they would have been no legacy left by Dempsey or Tunney.

Excellent point, first black Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson did in fact draw the color line and wouldn't fight other black fighters after winning the title...

**Master** · 03-07-2013 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by bradlee180

You do make one interesting point, if there was no colour bar after Johnson, they would have been no legacy left by Dempsey or Tunney.

Excellent point, first black Heavyweight Champion Jack Johnson did in fact draw the color line and wouldn't fight other black fighters after winning the title...

You deliberately mis-interpret my post you mischievous poster you. Is your name Loki by any chance?

**brocktonblockbust** · 03-07-2013 10:34 AM

Rocky marciano ladies and gentleman, let's have a round of applause for rocky Marciano.

**Master** · 03-07-2013 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by brocktonblockbust

Rocky marciano ladies and gentleman, let's have a round of applause for rocky Marciano.

What has he done lately?

**Alexkebert** · 03-07-2013 01:31 PM

The Jab and footwork rank among the most important fundamentals in boxing. The way Ali utilized his footwork to deliver his jab and a footwork as both simultaneous offense and defense was something we rarely see today or back in the days when TVs were only in black and white.

Sure Ali had to adjust his game as he got older and slower, but anybody who thinks Ali before the prime he missed due to suspension was fundamentally unsound, does not understand the true fundamentals Cassisu Clay implemented in his general technique and approach to pugilism