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

[roXy graziano]

I never said he wasn't a brilliant fighter, like someone else in this thread said no one could be ali but ali but I think a lot of people have him overrated on other measures, like I mentioned being able to take a beating and coming back, or footwork and speed - these are things that don't make him entirely stand out and things that get overrated

he was a brilliant fighter for sure I just don't think he was the most outright skilled of all fighters like some hold him up to be.

[Heckler]

combination of qualities

I never said he wasn't a brilliant fighter, like someone else in this thread said no one could be ali but ali but I think a lot of people have him overrated on other measures, like I mentioned being able to take a beating and coming back, or footwork and speed - these are things that don't make him entirely stand out and things that get overrated

he was a brilliant fighter for sure I just don't think he was the most outright skilled of all fighters like some hold him up to be.

The overrating of Ali is when the isolation these qualities occurs eg. his speed. It was a combination of these various things that made him STAND OUT, he was not the most outright skilled but he overcome this with other qualities eg. His mind which he used to adapt, and in my opinion this made him the greatest boxer of all time.

[Fat Shamz]

I am a HUGE ali fan. walk into my room and u see 4 posters, 3 videos, many stickers, lotsa other small itty gritty things...
but i must say this
Ali set the tables for ALL of the boxers that followed
he showed everyone how important it was to have speed, stamina, power, brains, footwork, technique, ability to take punishment, to not give up...
he at some point in his career possesed EVERY trait needed for a good boxer
He is not overated, he is discussed alot, and why not? this guy showed the world wat u need to be the greatest...

[Fat Shamz]

I never said he wasn't a brilliant fighter, like someone else in this thread said no one could be ali but ali but I think a lot of people have him overrated on other measures, like I mentioned being able to take a beating and coming back, or footwork and speed - these are things that don't make him entirely stand out and things that get overrated

he was a brilliant fighter for sure I just don't think he was the most outright skilled of all fighters like some hold him up to be.

then who was the greatest fighter ?

[DarthJul]

just look at his opponents. Ali was never beaten in his prime, except for Frazier & Norton (but that were close matches). He beat foreman, a guy who was still champion in the nineties.

[Kid Achilles]

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You use Frazier for a comparison yet Frazier beat Ali the first time and nearly killed him the third time, even though Joe did lose that one. Frazier was one of Ali's toughest opponents, and Ali certainly never had an easy time with him.

Marciano possessed every quality Frazier had, with the addition of knockout power with both hands (Frazier just had the left hook), so I don't see how you can't give the Rock at least a decent chance of beating Ali. Also Ali had a habit of just leaning back slightly to escape his opponents punches which could possibly play into Marciano's penchant for lunging straight forward. He has been called a slow heavyweight but have you ever seen the punch that KO'ed Walcott? That was some fast, tight ****!

Bottom line, a fight with Marciano was hell on anyone. There isn't a fighter that existed who would have had an easy time with the Rock.

[Heckler]

Marciano DID NOT posess the handspeed of Joe Frazier nor Joes ability to cut of the ring and isolate Ali, this is why Ali would beat him. Ali beat frazier twice... the third they both nearly killed eachother. But as i see it Ali beat a similar fighter 2/3 times a fighter i believe to be more skilled then marciano. I never stated that marciano wouldnt have a chance, but i believe it's probable that marciano would not be able to beat Ali in his prime... a man with so much speed, agility, heart, ability to take massive punishment and the ringsmarts to go with it.

[kadyo's]

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.

Right on Johnny! Ali beating Foreman showed why he is the greatest boxer of all time. Rope a dope has been adopted not only by other boxers, but by several other disciplines that has nothing to do with fighting. Ali's style transcend boxing and there lies his greatness.

[dempseyfire]

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.

Umm Frazier kicked his ass that first fight, and in that fight both fighters were closest to their primes (and there's a good argument that Ali deserved no more then a draw in their rematch).

I believe Ali is a surefire top 5 HW of all time, probably top 3, but he's not the greatest. During his first reign his quality of opposition was not very good (an injured Patterson, very dodgy fights with Liston, a shot (literally) Cleveland Williams). However, he demonstrated dominance and great athleticism and beautiful ring generalship in all these fights. In the 70s he further proved his greatness by beating a slew of dangerous guys (Quarry, Bonavena, Foreman, Shavers) but got gifts against Young, Norton, and arguably Frazier. Great fighter but the myth has overrode fact in many instances . . .

[BodysnatcherFan]

Ali would destroy Dempsey.