Muhammad Ali - Favourite Boxing Moments.

[stujones]

As we reflect upon the sad passing of the Greatest. I have been clued to the tributes - and I just wanted to know what are your personal favourite boxing moments.

As well as the ones that have made most of the headlines this week - The Liston win/s, The Rumble in the Jungle, The Thriller in Manila and the punch perfect masterclass vs Cleverland Williams there is one fight and one performance, which might not go down in his top five but when you consider everything in hindsight for me it is right up there....

And this is the rematch win over Leon Spinks to win the title for the third time..... Ali had just come off a pretty poor performance, Spinks whilst vastly inexperience was an exceptional amateur and had a great pedigree. Ali had been showing slurred speech noticeably after the Norton rubber match in 1976 and, according to many resources, had been taking medication for Parkinson's decease and his personal Dr, Ferddie Pachecco, had quit cos his concerns about Ali's health was falling on deaf years.

But for the rematch he got in top top shape and danced for 15 rounds. Yes, Spinks did not have the career of a Frazier or Foreman and yes, Spinks enjoyed himself between the two fights and rumoured to have a terrible camp.... but Ali turned back the clock, defied boxing experts and medical experts and really boxed very well. I often think who would have won between that version of Ali and Larry Holmes.

To think the man fought like that with clear signs of Parkinsons - is just something else. For me, when I consider the debates on who is the greatest boxer of all time - one of the elements that for me ticks things in Ali's favour is how he fought when he was shot.... Ali was not just a shot fighter though but had some serious health issues yet, fought and beat some of the finest heavyweights of the mid/late 70s when really he shouldn't be competitive. Sugar Ray Leonard was just 34 when he fought Terry Norris and looked a pale shadow of his former self. Ali's ability to adapt when shot was a huge quality and Ali had some severe health issues in his mid/late 30s to also contend with - which many of the other fighters listed in the debate about who is the greatest did not have.

For those who have not seen the rematch, I recommend that you watch it with the American commentary. It is one of those fights in which the commentary (with Ferddie as co-commentator) really enhances it.

[Stevieb8006]

As much as I agree, that kind of depressed me. Makes me think more and more how Naz had the right idea. Get out as soon as you can.

[stujones]

As much as I agree, that kind of depressed me. Makes me think more and more how Naz had the right idea. Get out as soon as you can.

That is true off course.... Although Ali that night of the Spinks rematch was pretty excellent. As good as anything post Manilla at the very least.

[Stevieb8006]

As much as I agree, that kind of depressed me. Makes me think more and more how Naz had the right idea. Get out as soon as you can.

That is true off course.... Although Ali that night of the Spinks rematch was pretty excellent. As good as anything post Manilla at the very least.

Yeah, some of his older performances were impressive. I liked the Wepner fight.