Ali overated??? i dont think so...

[Heckler]

Looking through these forums i have noticed various posts stating that Muhammad Ali is overrated and would be beaten by the likes of Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, and Mike Tyson.

I thought i would give my opinion on the matter

Ali was not overrated. In His prime Ali was extremely quick and had excellent footwork, however in my opinion these were not his greatest assets, I think his greatest assets were his ability to absorb punishment.... he had a good chin, good stamina and could take a lot of punishment as shown Against George Foreman(one of the most powerful Punchers in boxing history). His other great asset was his brain... Ali was an extremley smart boxer, he had the ability to adapt to any style, find the weakness of his opponents and systematically break them down as shown against Foreman. After Ali's 3 year absence from the boxing world he had lost alot of the speed in his punching and footwork and could no longer dance around the ring as effectivley as prior to his boxing ban. He was able to soley rely on his ability to absorb punishment and his brain to defeat such formidable opponents as George Foreman and Joe Frazier. He was not technically the best boxer.... far from it, BUT he was able to overcome this with the speed he posessed in his prime, his ability to absorb punishment and his ringsmarts

I believe Ali in his Prime would beat the 3 boxers mentioned previously, not easily however.

His Fight record to me is more impressive then these other 3. He defeated 3 of the all time greats Liston, Foreman, Frazier.

[roXy graziano]

here's my deal on Ali : like you said, he wasn't technically the best boxer. The things you've mentioned that supposedly make him stand out (ability to take punishment for example) isn't entirely unique. What makes Ali truly stand out among all other fighters? People always seem to think he was the best

If we all got to see our fantasy fights I'd see Marciano and Ali and I'm sure Marciano would win. I've heard people say Tyson could beat Ali and I don't agree with that. I don't know about me brown bomber but that would be sweet to see together

No doubt Ali was a great fighter but I do think he was (is) overrated and definetely don't think he was the greatest fighter of all time as so many people do. I will give you that he was a smart fighter, fast, and could take a beating and come back but like I said he's not the only one and that doesn't make him stand out

rrr I guess I'll get some negative feedback for this

[Hunna]

NO WAY! Ali style defied all boxing technique and would have caused a headache for traditional boxing trainers. Look at the opponents he fought and beat, theres no way hes overrated. Ali did get alot of publicity due to his antics, plus he was a hero and role model for people worldwide.

[Mr. Violence]

Ali was like the Michael Jordan of boxing. He possessed natural athletic gifts and skills to allow him to break many rules of tradition. In my book he truly was the greatest. This coming from a guy who had my doubts until I went back and studied the history of Ali and compared his history to the other greats.

[The1God]

I think Ali was great in his era. I have watched him over the years. He is definately great, but the best that ever lived... I have to disagree. Like Holmes, he had the championship for a loooooong time... So he was the best of his era. You really have to seperate them into different times. When it was Ali's day, he was the greatest. When it was Tyson's time, he was the greatest. I am not taking anything away from him, his mouth helped him get his status as well. If he had a peresonality like the "Quietman" I don't think people would talk about him as theyt do now. Please don't flame me!

[grayfist]

Ali's hyperbole got him over-rated. When he said he was "THE GREATEST" ( and, though he never added EVER, he never said he didn't mean EVER), he laid himself open to such criticism.

Ali was good; perhaps, ONE OF THE GREATEST FIGHERS. But people who put other names in the mix OF FIGHTERS AS FIGHTERS will have as good an arguement as he who brings up Ali's.

It is generally conceded, though, that no one did for the popularity of the sport as did Ali. And, no sports figure has crossed-over to the popular imagination better AND MORE than Ali.

No one can ever be Ali other than Ali.

[Great]

One word - Greatest.

[cms]

ali is not the greatest but is not overrated neither he may have had the greatest mind of all time in boxing though

[Heckler]

Originally Posted by roXy graziano

here's my deal on Ali : like you said, he wasn't technically the best boxer. The things you've mentioned that supposedly make him stand out (ability to take punishment for example) isn't entirely unique. What makes Ali truly stand out among all other fighters? People always seem to think he was the best

If we all got to see our fantasy fights I'd see Marciano and Ali and I'm sure Marciano would win. I've heard people say Tyson could beat Ali and I don't agree with that. I don't know about me brown bomber but that would be sweet to see together

No doubt Ali was a great fighter but I do think he was (is) overrated and definetely don't think he was the greatest fighter of all time as so many people do. I will give you that he was a smart fighter, fast, and could take a beating and come back but like I said he's not the only one and that doesn't make him stand out

rrr I guess I'll get some negative feedback for this

What made Ali stand out from the rest was his Ring smarts which were superior to any boxer in history. Against Marciano I think Ali would win, On points however. Ali would find too many ways to adapt and neutralize Marciano. In his prime his footwork and Hand speed were far superior. Marciano would have trouble with Ali's unorthodox style, He would have trouble landing punches as Ali danced around the ring and used his unorthodox defense(leaning back from the waist). Marciano was renowned for cutting easily, Ali would keep his distance bring his quick jab into play, Marcianos face would be turned into Mincemeatand Ali would inevitably win on points.

[Mr. Violence]

Originally Posted by Heckler

What made Ali stand out from the rest was his Ring smarts which were superior to any boxer in history. Against Marciano I think Ali would win, On points however. Ali would find too many ways to adapt and neutralize Marciano. In his prime his footwork and Hand speed were far superior. Marciano would have trouble with Ali's unorthodox style, He would have trouble landing punches as Ali danced around the ring and used his unorthodox defense(leaning back from the waist). Marciano was renowned for cutting easily, Ali would keep his distance bring his quick jab into play, Marcianos face would be turned into Mincemeatand Ali would inevitably win on points.

ali vs. marciano would be almost a carbon copy of his fights with frazier, with ali coming out on top everytime by decision. i dont think he can ko marciano but he could stop him on cuts.