How would Ali have done in today’s HW era? *Revisited*

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Where the average top heavyweight is around 6’5 and 250 lbs? Well, I think Usyk might've just answered that question. Fundamentals aside Ali had the athletic ability and craft to reach the top and reign there. Conversely, despite this era being weak, I also think that it would've been challenging for him. With the exception of just a couple fighters all of the top guys today would hold significant physical advantages (weight, height & reach) over him. Not only would he be routinely outgunned in terms of power & strength he'd be required to work a lot harder in fights despite possessing 15 round conditioning. Having to constantly get inside, land shots, and exit without getting clipped for 12 rounds is exhausting both mentally & physically—especially against the rangy types that know how to utilize their length and impose their size in the clinch. The majority of the time Ali actually outweighed his opponents. He also didn't have to give up height and/or reach that often and when he did it usually wasn't by much. Neither would be the case today.

It would've been interesting to see how effective he'd have been at negating it all. With that being said, Ali fought a half century ago. Completely different era. It's difficult, if not impossible, to try and determine how well a fighter from the distant past would do in the present no matter how great they were. But, I believe we may have a better idea now.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

I agree, I think Usyk is a perfect gauge to see how Ali would've done. Usyk is 6'3" 220 lbs and look how he's done against giants. And Ali is about the same size as Usyk, maybe weighed a little bit less in his fighting prime. (If we did see Ali fight in his prime)

But yeah Ali would have some trouble with big giants like Fury, but I think his skill set would have give it a great competitive fight.

No question, it would be fascinating to see how Ali would hold up against these monsters.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

I agree, I think Usyk is a perfect gauge to see how Ali would've done. Usyk is 6'3" 220 lbs and look how he's done against giants. And Ali is about the same size as Usyk, maybe weighed a little bit less in his fighting prime. (If we did see Ali fight in his prime)

But yeah Ali would have some trouble with big giants like Fury, but I think his skill set would have give it a great competitive fight.

No question, it would be fascinating to see how Ali would hold up against these monsters.

Yeah they're both listed as the same height, reach, and were similar in weight. Neither are regarded as punchers. Both are athletic out-boxers (boxer/movers) though Usyk has really shown his versatility as of late. He pressed his last couple opponents and beat them up. Coincidentally Ali & Usyk even share the same birthday.

 

[Nova44]

Call me old fashioned, but i truly believe guys like Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Holmes, Tyson and even Liston would do great in this era. Maybe not, but it's what i choose to believe.

 

[Badr Hari]

Prime Ali beats them all. Makes them look like they never saw a boxing ring. Even old Ali beats the majority of these amateurs.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Prime Ali beats them all. Makes them look like they never saw a boxing ring. Even old Ali beats the majority of these amateurs.

I could see that but size & power can negate skill. The latter is the great equalizer. Ali was no stranger to being in with big punchers but some of the heavyweights today aren't just big punchers they're naturally much bigger men. It's dangerous enough to have a guy your size that can crack but when they're also a lot bigger it's extremely dangerous. If you're in range to hit them then you're also in range to be hit by them.

 

[TadDunbar]

Prime Ali beats them all. Makes them look like they never saw a boxing ring. Even old Ali beats the majority of these amateurs.

What about Parkinson's Ali?

 

[StopDucking]

Call me old fashioned, but i truly believe guys like Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Holmes, Tyson and even Liston would do great in this era. Maybe not, but it's what i choose to believe.

Not a wild take. Frazier and Liston would fight at CW but the rest would dominate the HW division.

Aside from Fury, the modern big men all lack the stamina required to use proper boxing footwork.

 

[Barbelo]

Ali beats Fury easily

 

[Badr Hari]

What about Parkinson's Ali?

Only Usyk gives him a "challenge" to a certain degree for some rounds. The others are simple toys.

 

[BusterKeaton]

Are we doing 15 rounds to debate?
I'm going to say Ali and Larry Holmes are destroying most of the heavyweights. It's hard for me to give a full opinion of things that will never happen in general.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Are we doing 15 rounds to debate?
I'm going to say Ali and Larry Holmes are destroying most of the heavyweights. It's hard for me to give a full opinion of things that will never happen in general.

But I always thought it was fun to speculate not only in boxing, but in all sports.

 

[ferrisjso]

Usyk is Alis size. Usyk beating AJ and Fury is proof that alone would not be an issue. And Alis a better boxer than Usyk and his opponents are better boxers than Usyks opponents.

Finally Ali wouldn't have to fight nearly as many hard fighters. He'd be protected like every top fighter and only get a few tough fights at the end to "cash out". Thus Alis going to run the table with ease because hes running on a smaller table.

 

[ferrisjso]

Call me old fashioned, but i truly believe guys like Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Holmes, Tyson and even Liston would do great in this era. Maybe not, but it's what i choose to believe.

Foreman and Holmes success in the 90s makes this the consensus opinion held by most people. This is not a radical opinion.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Finally Ali wouldn't have to fight nearly as many hard fighters. He'd be protected like every top fighter and only get a few tough fights at the end to "cash out". Thus Alis going to run the table with ease because hes running on a smaller table.

Ali wasn't protected in his day. Why would he be in this era? He would insist on fighting the best. The same thing Usyk has done in the modern heavyweight era. His handlers might try to but Ali would've had the final say.

 

[ferrisjso]

Ali wasn't protected in his day. Why would he be in this era? He would insist on fighting the best. The same thing Usyk has done in the modern heavyweight era. His handlers might try to but Ali would've had the final say.

Because its an inherent part of the sport. And even if he did the bar for what "fighting the best" means is lower because of that. Top HWs don't fight 500+rounds no more like Ali did.

Usyk has fought 5 HWs. Usyk is a terrible example.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Because its an inherent part of the sport. And even if he did the bar for what "fighting the best" would mean. Top HWs don't fight 500+rounds no more.

It's also avoidable. Usyk, Lomachenko, and Inoue are just 3 current fighters that did it their way. All of them fought for world titles very early when they were advised to take it slower. They were fast tracked and didn't avoid anybody.

 

[djacobox372]

Boxing is a unique sport in that it's been declining in participation since the early 1960's... so, unlike other sports, one can't simply assume that the new stars would beat the old stars.... athletes like Foreman, Ali, etc. would have been very unlikely to be boxers these days, the NFL, NBA, MLB etc. would have snatched them up.

 

[Kovalev's "Man Bag"]

Usyk is Alis size. Usyk beating AJ and Fury is proof that alone would not be an issue.

They're the same size, and I think Ali could've done what Usyk has done in today's heavyweight era, but it's not necessarily automatic. As I said in the OP Ali was used to being the bigger man. He was heavier than most of his opponents on fight night and had a similar reach & height. Some guys like Usyk excel at beating giants while others struggle.

 

[Takes Two To Tango]

Usyk is Alis size. Usyk beating AJ and Fury is proof that alone would not be an issue. And Alis a better boxer than Usyk and his opponents are better boxers than Usyks opponents.

Finally Ali wouldn't have to fight nearly as many hard fighters. He'd be protected like every top fighter and only get a few tough fights at the end to "cash out". Thus Alis going to run the table with ease because hes running on a smaller table.

Why would he be protected? And when Ali fought in his heyday, he fought virtually every great boxer in his time.

If you are saying he'll be protected because the way boxing is now, well if he is, than it's not his fault. Bottomline, the guy is willing to fight anyone out there, doesn't matter who it is.