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Paul's Boxing Commentary
All-Time Greats (part 2)
Posted: August 11, 2000
OK, I'm back and I want to finish this series of commentary as soon as possible, but there are so many boxers that I think deserve the title of boxings all-time great.
A man that many feel is the greatest of all time is Muhammad Ali. There is no doubt the man could box. He was really great at that. And although he was known for his boxing ability he also had a solid chin. Ali's strength though, was his jab. I think he had one of the best jabs of all time. The one thing he did not have was one-punch KO power. I think even if he did, he would rather jab a man to death, than to end the fight quickly.
Ali also is great in the department of his opponents. Ali beat great fighters like Liston, Patterson, Fraiser, Norton and Foreman. All of them, except for Patterson, were in their primes when Ali beat them. I think one reason that so many people call Ali "the Greatest" is because of the level of his opponents. he was really lucky to have such great opponents while he was fighting. This was something other greats like Louis or Marciano never had.
No discussion about Ali would be complete without mentioning his charisma. He could talk, and talk and talk. He could win a war of words with most people. Ali's talk really helped draw people to his fights and expand his legendary status. I normaly don't like cocky people, but Ali is the exception. I'm not even sure why I like him and not other atheletes who are cocky. Maybe it's because, with Ali his cockiness was really to draw fights and was fun and good natured. I don't know.
As for Ali's prime, I would say it was right after he fought Cleveland Willams. This was in 1966, before he protested Vietnam. I don't think he was the same fighter upon his return. People didn't think he had a chin because no one could touch him. After he got back, he was forced to show he had a tough chin because he took so much punishment, especially in the Frasier fights.
So how do I think Ali would match up against the fighter I covered in part 1 of this commentary? (Evander Holyfield)I defientely think this fight would be too close to call. I think Evander would have a hard target in Ali, but Ali could not keep away from Evander for a whole fight. Evander had more power, but Ali was quicker. I think this fight would end by decision. Both fighters have great chins, and neither had overwhelming power. I think it would ulitmately come down to whoever wanted it mor on that night.
Well, that ends my discussion of the Muhammad Ali. Keep a watch out for part 3 of this commentary. If you want to respond to anything I said, please visit my message board or email me. For Muhammad Ali's DVD click here .
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