Connect with us

Articles of 2009

The Greatest's Greatest Combination

Published

on

Most of you have probably heard the story now, that Ricky Hatton cried when former heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali showed up at his gym in the UK last week. According to those who were there Hatton was blown away after shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries with the most famous fighter/boxer in fistic history. Ali is much bigger than boxing and it's almost a miscarriage of justice to think of or limit him to just being a boxer. Muhammad Ali is no doubt one of the most recognized persons of the 20th Century.

After posing for pictures outside and then inside of Hatton's gym, Ricky presented Ali with a cake which had the word “GOAT,” which stands for “Greatest Of All Time,” inscribed on top of it.

“I've been fortunate to meet some of the greatest stars of boxing during my career, but I'd never had the chance to meet the greatest of all,” Hatton said.

“He's not just the greatest boxer of all time, he's one of the greatest men of all time.”

“Even youngsters know Muhammad Ali. And I think his gift of the gab has made the entertainment side of boxing what it is today.”

Everything Hatton said is true. It's also true that everything that could be said about Muhammad Ali in one form or another has already been said since the night of February 25, 1964 when he won the heavyweight title from undisputed champ Sonny Liston in his 20th fight as a pro.

Ali is currently visiting the UK and being celebrated for the three times he fought there during the sixties. He stopped Henry Cooper (5th round TKO) in his first fight there before meeting Liston in his next bout. Three years later he stopped Cooper again (6th round TKO) to make his fourth successful defense of the title. Three months after that Ali defended his title for the fifth time, against Brian London (3rd round KO), at the Earls Court Arena in London.

Through the years boxing aficionados have vigorously debated and questioned what was the best fight of Ali's career and when was he at his physical peak. In regards to Ali's prime, I don't think he really had one. The best version of Ali physically was the one who was gaining weight as he toured the country speaking on college campuses during his forced exile. When he came back in October of 1970, he never really adjusted to his slightly more filled out body and was sometimes caught between styles. In some bouts he seemed to force himself to move because that's what he thought he should do, and other times he looked more content to trade and fight a more physical style seizing on his newly discovered physical strength.

Ali's fight with Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams is often mentioned as the fight where he combined speed and punching power the best and more so than in any other fight of his 61 bout career. Everybody has their own views on that and it's something that's pure conjecture. That said, if Ali ever combined speed and power more so than he did during the first five rounds of his first fight against “Smokin” Joe Frazier in 1971, I'm not sure I've seen the fight in which that occurred.

Most Ali fans would probably agree that one of the best single punches Ali ever landed was the left-hook he nailed Oscar Bonavena with on the chin in the 15th round, which for all intent and purposes ended the fight. It was also the only time Bonavena was ever stopped in his 68 bout career. Had that been the first time you ever saw Ali fight, you'd come away thinking his left hook was his bread and butter punch.

Ali is the only fighter to ever stop George Foreman and was the first to stop Ron Lyle. He's also the first to drop Chuck Wepner, something neither George Foreman or Sonny Liston could do. And neither could Joe Frazier do it while sparring Wepner several times during a 2/3 year period. During his career Muhammad Ali faced better opposition than any other heavyweight champ in history. He posted wins and went 5-1 versus three certifiable all-time greats in Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman.

One more thing. On August 6th 1966, Ali knocked out Brian London in the third round to retain the heavyweight title. After feeling London out for the first two rounds, Ali backed him into a corner midway through the third and unloaded a barrage of punches so fast it's virtually impossible to count them. Ali was hitting London so fast that his punches actually prevented him from going down for a couple of seconds. Never have I seen a fighter at any weight cut loose with a barrage of punches so fast on an opponent. Making it even more impressive is the fact that most of the punches Ali threw were straight lefts and rights, as opposed to them being hooks and uppercuts which have less distance to travel and are easier to get off in succession.

The fastest hands to grace boxing, period, were the two Muhammad Ali unleashed on Brian London that stopped him in the third round of their heavyweight championship bout at the Earls Court Arena in the UK. As great as Ali looked against Cleveland Williams, the greatest combination he ever threw came in his fight versus London three months earlier.

It very well could be the greatest and most impressive combination thrown by any fighter, at any time.

Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Hiruta-Bohachuk-and-Trinidad-Win-at-the-Commerce-Casino
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Hiruta, Bohachuk, and Trinidad Win at the Commerce Casino

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles5 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles1 day ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles2 days ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles5 days ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles1 week ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles1 week ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

Remembering-the-Under-Appreciated-Body-Snatcher-Mike-McCallum,-a-Conusmmate-Pro
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Remembering the Under-Appreciated “Body Snatcher” Mike McCallum, a Consummate Pro    

A-Night-of-Mismatches-Turns-Topsy-Turvy-at-Mandalay-Bay-Resendiz-Shocks-Plant
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Night of Mismatches Turns Topsy-Turvy at Mandalay Bay; Resendiz Shocks Plant

Results-and-Recaps-from-Las-Vegas-Where-Melikuziev-Nipped-Fulghum-in-a-Fierce-Fight
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Results and Recaps from Las Vegas Where Melikuziev Nipped Fulghum in a Fierce Battle

Avila-Perspective-Chap-228-Viva-Las-Vegas-Back-in-the-Boxing-Spotlight
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Vinny-Paz-is-Going-into-the-Boxing-Hall-of-Fame-Hey-why-Not-Roger-Mayweather?
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Vinny Paz is Going into the Boxing Hall of Fame; Hey, Why Not Roger Mayweather?

Newspaperman-Playwright-Author-Bobby-Cassidy-Jr-Commemorates-his-Fighting-Father
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Newspaperman/Playwright/Author Bobby Cassidy Jr Commemorates His Fighting Father

Ekow-Essuman-Upsets-Josh-Taylor-and-Moses-Itauma-Blasts-Out-Mike-Balogun-in-Glasgow
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Ekow Essuman Upsets Josh Taylor and Moses Itauma Blasts Out Mike Balogun in Glasgow

Angelo-Leo-Retains-His-Featherweight-Title-Before-a-Hostile-Crowd-in-Osaka
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Angelo Leo Retains His Featherweight Title Before a Hostile Crowd in Osaka

in-A-Trubute-Wedded-to-Memorial-Day-Boxing-Writer-David-Avila-Pays-Homage-to-Absent-Friends
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

In a Tribute Wedded to Memorial Day, Boxing Writer David Avila Pays Homage to Absent Friends

Local-Fan-Favorites-Terri-Harpet-and-Maxi-Hughes-Victorious-in-Doncaster
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Local Fan Favorites Terri Harper and Maxi Hughes Victorious in Doncaster

Italy-Mourns-the-Death-of-Legendary-Boxer-Nino-Benvenuti
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Italy Mourns the Death of Legendary Boxer Nino Benvenuti

Boxing-Notes-and-Nuggets-from-Thomas-Hauser
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Boxing Notes and Nuggets from Thomas Hauser

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending