How was Ali able to box for so long?

[GrandpaBernard]

His style did rely a lot on speed and reflexes, the things that deteriorate first with age. Ali wasn't a very textbook boxer either.

[DarkTerror88]

His style did rely a lot on speed and reflexes, the things that deteriorate first with age. Ali wasn't a very textbook boxer either.

Chin, Endurance, Toughness, and the best mental game in history. Ali could beat his opponents before they enter the ring

[BigStereotype]

His speed fell off a cliff after he came back, but he was so smart and so tough that he could still whoop everyone.

[IronDanHamza]

Because he is one of the toughest fighters to ever step in the ring.

Because he has one of the best chins of all time.

And because he's just a special fighter.

[bojangles1987]

Because even when his athleticism went, he was still a brilliant fighter that knew how to control distance, find his opponent's flaws, and take advantage of them. He may not have been a textbook boxer, but he was still very, very good at it.

Combine that with his chin, mental toughness, and some careful matchmaking once his physical gifts were pretty much completely gone, and that's how he did so well for so long.

[GJC]

More a case of why rather than how and the answer is not having enough people in his corner who cared about him

[PEBBLES!]

More a case of why rather than how and the answer is not having enough people in his corner who cared about him

Good point; when do you believe he should have called it quits?

After Manila? After Shavers? After the 3rd Norton fight, or possibly even earlier.

The last two fights were an utter disgrace.

[bklynboy]

Good point; when do you believe he should have called it quits?

After Manila? After Shavers? After the 3rd Norton fight, or possibly even earlier.

The last two fights were an utter disgrace.

Either after Foreman OR at the latest Manila.

[GJC]

Either after Foreman OR at the latest Manila.

Much as we would have lost the Thrilla after Foreman would have been best, I think Manilla onwards damaged Ali. He cemented his legacy with Zaire and might have retired in reasonable nick at that stage

[DarkTerror88]

I think the betbick fight was the icing on the cake. After the second fight with Neon Leon I think he should have ended as the first man to regain the title three times.