Opinion: The greatest
As a huge fan of boxing, I believe that Muhammad Ali was truly one of the best boxers of all time. Not only was he an incredibly talented fighter with unparalleled footwork, speed, and power, but he was also a trailblazer who inspired generations of people both inside and outside the ring. His ability to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee was unparalleled, and he was able to beat some of the toughest opponents of his time, including George Foreman and Joe Frazier.
But what truly sets Muhammad Ali apart from other boxers was his unrelenting spirit and determination. Despite facing intense racism and discrimination, both inside and outside the ring, Ali refused to back down and fought tirelessly for what he believed in. His commitment to social justice and civil rights made him a hero to millions of people around the world, and his legacy continues to inspire and uplift people today.
Muhammad Ali had an incredibly storied career, and some of his best bouts have become legendary. One of his most famous fights was the “Rumble in the Jungle” in 1974, where he fought against George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire. Foreman was considered unbeatable at the time, but Ali used his “rope-a-dope” technique, leaning back against the ropes to absorb Foreman’s punches and tire him out, before landing a series of devastating blows that led to a knockout victory. Another iconic fight was the “Thrilla in Manila” in 1975, where Ali faced his longtime rival Joe Frazier in the Philippines. The fight was brutal and grueling, with both men landing heavy punches, but Ali emerged victorious after Frazier’s trainer threw in the towel in the 14th round. These fights and many others throughout his career solidified Ali’s status as one of the greatest boxers of all time.
Here are some of the techniques that Roberto Duran was famous for:
- Footwork: Ali’s footwork was a key part of his success in the ring. He used a unique “shuffle” footwork style, which involved quickly bouncing on the balls of his feet in a rhythmic pattern. This footwork allowed him to constantly move around the ring, making it difficult for his opponents to land clean shots on him. He would also use his footwork to set up angles for his punches, often circling his opponents and then coming in with a quick combination.
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Counterpunching: Ali was a master of counterpunching, where he would wait for his opponent to throw a punch and then quickly counter with his own.
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Rope-a-dope: Ali’s famous tactic where he would lean back against the ropes and allow his opponent to tire themselves out by throwing punches at him, before coming back with his own punches.
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Ali jab: Ali’s jab was lightning-fast and precise, and he would often use it to set up his other punches.
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Head movement: Ali had excellent head movement, allowing him to slip his opponents’ punches and avoid taking damage.
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Combination punching: Ali was skilled at throwing fast and powerful combinations, often finishing with a devastating punch like his famous “anchor punch.”
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Taunting and psychological warfare: Ali was famous for his trash-talking and taunting of his opponents, often getting inside their heads and throwing them off their game.
Fun Fact!
One fun fact about Muhammad Ali’s career is that he actually started boxing at the age of 12, when his bike was stolen and he reported it to a police officer who also happened to be a boxing coach. The officer suggested Ali learn how to fight before taking on the thief, and thus began Ali’s journey to become one of the greatest boxers of all time.
