Was Ali a Runner?

Ali was never afraid to brawl. As already mentioned he moved in order to open his own opportunities to throw punches.

no he was a stick and move guy. especially after he came back, he got hit a lot. a guy that takes that much punishment can't be called a runner. SRR took a lot of shots to, but he always tried to stick and move while he figured you out

anyone who votes yes should be kicked in the nuts. Look at Ali today. If anything you could argue he didn't run enough.

No, he was always throwing punches. A runner IMO is someone who isnt offensive, throws very little and stays far away from opponents, and doesnt want to engeage at all. Floyd is NOT a runner. He pot shots with extreme accuracy. He can be negative and too defensive, but he likes to stand his ground, find his range and pick his shots.

No. Silly question really. Ali's style has made him one of the greatest fighters ever and beaten many opponents of many different styles. He is also more famous for his wars as Ali than his fights as Clay where he schooled everyone.

According to NSB standards he did. People don't understand what "running" is. Running is moving away, not throwing punches, avoiding exchanges and not looking to counter or set up or do anything besides disengage and preserve yourself. yup... co sign

It kills me that people think that, I can’t understand why a heavyweight fighter that put combinations together combined with footwork and head movement can be labeled a runner. That was the sweet science in its purest form. Word son! :boxing:

I just hear that phrase a lot on here when a boxer uses movement. Should he have stood and traded more? I guess you talking about young Ali??? The old Ali traded enough and got hit enough as some can clearly see today... Most who use this term runner are simply the ''boxing'' fans who wants to see guys beat their brains in, blood, guts etc. I call them mover... and moving isn't some illegal... it isn't banned... it ain't a PED... if you fought Ali you know what he was doing and if you couldn't find a way to beat him it's not his fault. Ali defended with his legs... pretty much like Martinez does today... he isn't a fundamentally sound defender... he defends through movement. And that was the reason why Ali in his later career got hit with a ton of shots bevcause he feet couldn't bring him out of danger zone

For the record I think Ali moved beautifully. I just see a lot of fights where I think they used good movement as a tool and people criticize them. I enjoy watching boxers, it just seems as if many people don't.

He sure ran against George Foreman that's for sure. sarcasm HaH, just rewatched that fight the other night (was on ESPN) and I don't blame him. Foreman's arms looked as big as Ali's thighs. Thing that always surprises me is how easily Ali landed on George. First few rounds he was landing shots at will and George just stood there.

You gonna get what people feels is a honest answer but ask this same question about a boxer they hate and its a different answer even though both fighters use the similar movements. The answer is no.

It kills me that people think that, I can’t understand why a heavyweight fighter that put combinations together combined with footwork and head movement can be labeled a runner. That was the sweet science in its purest form.

Nope. People just say runner when they think a guy doesn't throw enough punches. Ali knew how to use movement which controlled his opponent, he had Cleveland Williams hypnotized.

Ali used movement as it should be, to dodge and create openings. He didn't run to stall and he wasn't afraid to engage.