Why Ali was not the greatest

[ShoulderRoll]

Walcott was 37 years old. He had the tricks of an experienced vet but the speed and reflexes of a prime fighter were gone.

He was the oldest man ever to win the heavyweight title and that record stood for 40+ years.

Fortunately he had a 10 lbs weight advantage over Ezzard Charles who entered the ring not that far above 175 lbs. Hence why Charles always gets tagged as a "blown up light heavyweight."

[HOUDINI563]

Silly. Walcott had more ability in one finger than Ruiz, a paper champion Jones hand picked to best assure victory, had in his entire body. Charles was never light heavyweight champion. He was the undisputed and true heavyweight champion of the world. Something neither Ruiz nor Jones ever achieved.

[ShoulderRoll]

It's not silly to say Walcott was old. He was. 37 is past prime, not many fighters are still great at that age.

And he did have a 10 lb weight advantage over Ezzard Charles who never strayed that far from the light heavyweight ballpark.

Putting things in context might be uncomfortable but these are factual things I'm pointing out. Not made up.

[HOUDINI563]

Cherry picking variables to suit your purpose but ignoring the big picture is highly deceptive.

Only amateurs gravitate to “weight” in the heavyweight division. It’s the last variable to consider and the easiest.

[louis54]

Very true yes

[ShoulderRoll]

Cherry picking variables to suit your purpose but ignoring the big picture is highly deceptive.

Only amateurs gravitate to “weight” in the heavyweight division. It’s the last variable to consider and the easiest.

Knowledgeable boxing men have used the term "blown up light heavyweight" when describing the heavyweight runs of Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore. You might choose to disagree with them but there is nothing amateur about that criticism.

A good big man usually beats a good smaller man. It's a saying that has been around forever, for a reason.

[HOUDINI563]

We are talking great heavyweights here. Great fighters usually ko very good larger opponents. Gravitating to size is amateur level. Bring up your game.