How Many Ali's?

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

It's true. About two years ago I bought the entire career sets of Floyd Mayweather, Juan Manuel Marquez & Shane Mosley and it amazed me how little change all three fighters had shown from start to finish. Probably Mosley more so, which really is madness!

And Ali, also. He was a special fighter in his prime, his balletic ability for a heavyweight is completely unrivalled even to this day.

After that It was all guts and wit. Like you said, he grew to be a big man eventually and actually out weighed many of his opponents during his 2nd career.

He wasn't nearly as un-hittable as some people would like to think, nor as fast. He was awful in his first fight with Fraizer and I think on numerous occasions, further down the road, he outfoxed the judges nearly as much as his opponents. But his intestinal fortitude was ridiculous. Again, something that is probably unrivalled.

[marbleheadmaui]

It's true. About two years ago I bought the entire career sets of Floyd Mayweather, Juan Manuel Marquez & Shane Mosley and it amazed me how little change all three fighters had shown from start to finish. Probably Mosley more so, which really is madness!

And Ali, also. He was a special fighter in his prime, his balletic ability for a heavyweight is completely unrivalled even to this day.

After that It was all guts and wit. Like you said, he grew to be a big man eventually and actually out weighed many of his opponents during his 2nd career.

He wasn't nearly as un-hittable as some people would like to think, nor as fast. He was awful in his first fight with Fraizer and I think on numerous occasions, further down the road, he outfoxed the judges nearly as much as his opponents. But his intestinal fortitude was ridiculous. Again, something that is probably unrivalled.

Ali's toughness is about the fifth or sixth thing we'd mention when discussing him, right? But maybe it oughtta be first. You're dead on in identifying it as a distinguishing, maybe THE distinguishing factor of the second part of his career.

GREAT pic of Robinson by the way. Looks to me like he's sitting in his famous pink, or as he insisted fuchsia, Cadillac.

[Master]

Agree with Ali, he did have a novice period which could be included very early on where he was getting knocked down and struggling with southpaw opponents. During this period not many would have given him a chance to become an ATG.

Also we may have missed the prime Ali phase with the combination of speed, foot work (pre-exile) and experience, heart and power (post Ali) without the lay off he would have been unbeatable as he would not have allowed Frazier to develop himself into the champion he became whilst Ali was not allowed to box because of the US government.

PS On a side note why is Bridgette Fonda still hounded by her campaign against the Vietnam war to this day i.e. QVC have taken her off?

[marbleheadmaui]

Agree with Ali, he did have a novice period which could be included very early on where he was getting knocked down and struggling with southpaw opponents. During this period not many would have given him a chance to become an ATG.

Also we may have missed the prime Ali phase with the combination of speed, foot work (pre-exile) and experience, heart and power (post Ali) without the lay off he would have been unbeatable as he would not have allowed Frazier to develop himself into the champion he became whilst Ali was not allowed to box because of the US government.

PS On a side note why is Bridgette Fonda still hounded by her campaign against the Vietnam war to this day i.e. QVC have taken her off?

Hard not to guess a still active Ali handles Frazier in say 1968 isn't it?

Jane Fonda. Because she didn't just protest the war. She traveled to North Vietnam in support of the enemy. Men like my Dad, who fought over there, and my Mom will NEVER EVER forgive her. They, just as an example, never had a problem with domestic protesters, but when you literally help the enemy? A different story.