LEGENDARY BOXERS Explain How Good Muhammad Ali Was: Talking about Muhammad Ali is the only time you see Mike get emotional besides his kids
Everybody knows Muhammad Ali was good. But was he the greatest? Muhammad was a very influential figure in the world. When the people gathered at the stadium, Muhammad Ali could get them to do anything. That’s how much praise they had for him. This boxing legend was a genius in his craft and used his fighting skill to make a mockery out of boxing legends like Frazier, George Foreman and Larry Holmes who were a lot bigger than him.
In this episode, we delve into the profound admiration and respect that legendary boxers express for the incomparable Muhammad Ali. Various boxing icons, including Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, and Evander Holyfield, share their thoughts on Ali’s greatness.
Mike Tyson, a boxing prodigy, idolized Muhammad Ali during his early years in the sport. Tyson acknowledges Ali’s unique style and confidence, emphasizing the impact Ali had on his own belief in his abilities. Tyson appreciates Ali’s ability to take powerful punches from formidable opponents, highlighting Ali’s resilience and championship mindset.
Reflecting on the question of who would win in a hypothetical matchup between them, Tyson acknowledges Ali’s superior speed and states that catching Ali would be the key to defeating him. Tyson’s admiration for Ali’s greatness and the confidence instilled by watching Ali throughout his life is evident in his words.
George Foreman, who faced Ali in the historic “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, describes Ali as a giant in the boxing world. Foreman conveys the sentiment that Ali’s resilience and refusal to quit, even when facing formidable opponents, set him apart. Foreman’s admiration for Ali extends beyond the ring, acknowledging Ali’s greatness as a person.
Larry Holmes, who sparred with Ali at Deer Lake and succeeded him as the heavyweight champion, expresses deep respect for Ali. Holmes credits Ali for many of his boxing combinations and emphasizes that Ali’s presence in the ring was something extraordinary. Holmes reflects on his own fight against Ali, stating that he was not hitting Ali hard, showing respect for the legend.
Evander Holyfield, inspired by Ali from a young age, considers Ali the greatest. Holyfield was motivated by the idea that being called “the greatest” meant being the best, and he aspired to achieve that status in his career. Holyfield acknowledges Ali’s influence in setting high standards for boxers, and he ultimately surpassed Ali’s record for the most heavyweight championship titles in 2000.
In conclusion, this episode highlights the universal admiration for Muhammad Ali among legendary boxers. Ali’s impact transcended the sport, influencing the mindset and aspirations of subsequent generations of boxers. The deep respect and recognition of Ali’s greatness continue to resonate in the words of those who followed in his footsteps.
Muhammad Ali’s legacy lives on with photo revealing grandson’s astonishing resemblance
Muhammad Ali is arguably the greatest boxer of all time and his genes carry on with his legacy, at least in looks as his grandson Curtis, son of Laila Ali has the internet raving about how much they look alike.
But the career of the man once known as Cassius Clay was so long ago, on September 9, the boxing world remembered it was the 50th anniversary of the second fight between Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton, the second fighter who sullied the record of ‘The Greatest’ in the first of their duels, in March 1973. The consequences of that fight are well known: Ali’s loss of the North American Boxing Federation title and a broken jaw.
Ali’s supremacy at heavyweight was questioned, even though he was only 31 years old. ‘The Greatest’ worked hard to prove that he was still a worthy opponent and on the day of the rematch – he looked much more sculpted and 5 kg lighter. The only problem was that the former Marine Norton was still the same 6’2′ titan’.
The rematch finally came and from the third round onwards Ali opted not to sit on his stool to rest while Dundee gave him instructions, although there were times when he had no choice. He later began to move into a fighting stance 10 to 15 seconds before the round began in an attempt to dislodge Norton. By the end of the fifth round, the latter was yelling at him, “I’ve owned you.”
Past the halfway point of the fight (they were already going 12 rounds), the ‘Black Hercules’ had come back and from the eighth round, the contest was even, although Norton landed the occasional punch that could award him the round.
The move to show off in the final round awarded ‘The Greatest’ the contest by a split decision. To this day, Floyd Mayweather still justifies that the greatest of all time is him “because Ali actually lost three times to Norton”. In any case, on that day, the Louisville native admitted that age was weighing on him, although it was rather his incessant boxing activity.
