Ali's Perfect Performance Explained - Muhammad Ali vs Cleveland Williams Breakdown

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In style, skill and personality there has never been and will never be a boxer quite as astonishing as the greatest, Muhammad Ali. Ali's boxing was mesmerizing, to the crowd and to his unfortunate opponents. He did things that just should not have worked and made them look easy. As with his politics and personality, Ali's boxing was uncompromising, brave, indisputably brilliant.
So many advanced components honed over years made up a style that was both brutal and tasteful, completely unique but seamless and well built, every bizarre technique a stepping stone to the next.
And his magnum opus, most will agree, was his near flawless 3 round victory over Cleveland Big Cat Williams. His sixth opponent since taking the championship, Ali would put on display every component of his skill set, serving as a lesson in how to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Let's look at how the culmination of these techniques all came together.
#boxing #boxingtechnique #boxingtraining #muhammadali

[@TheModernMartialArtist]

New DISCORD: discord.gg/ZaYPaKfB I'll be in for a bit after this video airs and in voice chat for Spence vs Crawford!

[@aliabu-talib332]

Dude. Have You Ever Thought About Being A Coach?

[@peaceful_warrior7627]

You did surveys on you community page little while ago. This is the kind of gems you should breakdown from time to time to maintain enthusiasm.

[@dripdrop7363]

U should do ail vs ernie terrell

[@ScroogeMcDuck.]

@ TMMA, WHAT’S YOUR ANALYSIS OF THE TERENCE CRAWFORD AND ERROL SPENCE FIGHT?? WE NEED THAT VID 💥🥊

[@smokinjoe6254]

Whaat?! How did I miss this 😢

[@tdyerwestfield]

The fact a fight from 1966 is still held up as a perfect example of elite Boxing just shows the level that Ali was at.

[@thinkingagain5966]

Joe Frazier kicked his ass

[@salvadorlucero1034]

​@@thinkingagain5966 boy don't go talking all that shit now you will start a war in the comment section 😂

[@TheModernMartialArtist]

War! War! War in the comment section!

[@azzrhei]

​@@thinkingagain5966so what . They're even anyway.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

You do know boxers were better in the past than today. Due to them training more, having more fights, better stamina and much better accuracy than today I.e. this fight Ali lands 62% of his punches, which was higher than the average back then for a heavyweight world title holder which was 40%+, and much, much higher than modern heavyweight title holders, who's accuracy is around 20 - 30%.

[@Charismaniac]

It can also be explained by the fact that Cleveland Williams was literally shot by the time they fought. He suffered a wound from a magnum .357 after an altercation with a pushy police officer who mercilessly fired it at him. Williams had 10ft of small intestine removed and lost his kidney. He was never the same after the incident and was an easy pick for a prime Muhammad Ali. The nerve damage in his right hip was catastrophic and caused atrophy in the muscles and tendons of his right leg. Once an explosive fighter known for his aggression and devastating left hook, Williams was reduced to an easy target that Ali and many others took down without much effort. He was a tough man and fought the legendary Sonny Liston twice. Physically, he was much bigger in those matches but fell short to a greater fighter. May these great men rest in peace. They took boxing to another level.

[@Beautiful-Sickening-Rolex]

yeh it was nowhere near the same Williams who fought Liston unfortunately

[@gamemeister27]

Wow, a cop shot an unarmed black man? Who could have foreseen this, especially back then!? In all seriousness though, thanks for the insight

[@Charismaniac]

@@gamemeister27 The same cop visited him in the hospital, regretting his own reaction and what it led to. He wished him luck before the Ali fight and they parted ways holding no grudges. It tells you a lot about Cleveland's character. The man knew how to forgive and move beyond it.

[@gamemeister27]

@@Charismaniac That's good of him, both the cop and Williams

[@Charismaniac]

@@gamemeister27 Yeah. I'm glad that the cop showed regret and some conscience. Williams showed how big his own heart was. Big Cat really was a big cat.

[@OnePump-RockstarrClarke]

He created so much distance so fast. Ali has the best foot work I’ve seen in any division. He weaved so eloquently and graciously.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

Cleveland Williams was 9 years older and couldn't train properly the entire year because he was in a hospital after a .357 magnum bullet hit him point blank in the stomach then lodged in his right hip. Williams had to undergo four operations in the next seven months. Williams right kidney had to be removed in June 1965. Doctors could not extract the bullet, which had broken his right hip joint and caused partial paralysis of some of the hip's muscles, he also lost over 10 feet of his small intestine, and sustained nerve damage which affected his left leg above the knee and caused it to atrophy as a result. Williams hung on and survived, his weight went down to 150 lbs during his recovery stage. A shadow of himself, 10 feet of intestines and one kidney removed, limping with nerve and hip damages, he was a physical and mental wreck but needed the money. The Texans in the boxing business knew Williams had virtually no chance against Ali. But it was Williams one-shot at the title, so he took it. It was a vomit inducing display of point and shoot for Ali, probably the low point in his heavyweight run. Image if Ali had been gut-shot with .357 magnum and almost died 4 times on the operating table, and was fighting a year or so later. Ignoring any and all facts his fans stand firm in their beliefs that Ali was magical the night he fought Cleveland, striking him like ⚒️-THOR-⚒️ and moving around with the speed of ⚡-FLASH-⚡Some eyewitnesses even swore it looked as if Ali was floating on 🌊-WATER-🌊. He was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Ali was Super-🦇-Man.

[@petergreen5337]

Absolutely CORRECT and true. As proved by history and the comment ary above

[@BarrySlisk]

I once saw Ali fight a toddler. Ali danced around the toddler confusing him and then he'd sting like a bee. Never have I seen such a beatdown. Ali's best performance. Point: Cleveland was a shot stationary target. Everyone would look good against him at this point.

[@edbd4613]

And countered with unbelievable speed.

[@jamesanthony5681]

I know exactly what you're saying. I'n the mid '80's, I saw the' 85 Chicago Bears play a local high school football team, and I've never seen a team so beat up, so overwhelmed as that HS team on that day when Chicago won 135-0, limiting those guys to 5 yards total offense. The greatest an NFL Team has ever looked. ABSOLUTE DEVASTATION.

[@markjones2418]

As good as it gets just a shame he was banned at his peak we missed 4 years of prime Ali 😢

[@jessejordache1869]

I always compare it to like, learning that Vermeer actually had another dozen masterpieces but they were lost in a fire before anyone saw them.

[@coosonthaloose4036]

That’s dumb AF. Doctors were telling him to quit long before that. You see how he ended up disabled? Shoulda stopped before it changed him, got greedy

[@johnharris8191]

He should have fought for his country like Marciano who is the real greatest did.

[@SeeShah2oiiiiooii-ko4uc]

@@johnharris8191Nope, you can be a racist white supremacist all you want, but Ali is the best boxer, fought in one of the best eras, and won against both his country and his opponents

[@hj_1881]

3*

[@SHOW_ME]

Ali is the definition of timeless. No matter what era of boxing, he is always relevant

[@petergreen5337]

Yes indeed absolutely CORRECT and true. Well said.

[@joetrie]

No he is outdated

[@cullex.2851]

@@joetrieRight...

[@mtroy0620]

@@joetrie troll get a job

[@joetrie]

@@mtroy0620 the worst era of heavy weight boxing

[@MultiTopgearfan]

He was savage, and he was literally untouchable. This is prime Muhammad Ali at his absolute peak. This is boxing perfection.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

Cleveland Williams was 9 years older and couldn't train properly the entire year because he was in a hospital after a .357 magnum bullet hit him point blank in the stomach then lodged in his right hip. Williams had to undergo four operations in the next seven months. Williams right kidney had to be removed in June 1965. Doctors could not extract the bullet, which had broken his right hip joint and caused partial paralysis of some of the hip's muscles, he also lost over 10 feet of his small intestine, and sustained nerve damage which affected his left leg above the knee and caused it to atrophy as a result. Williams hung on and survived, his weight went down to 150 lbs during his recovery stage. A shadow of himself, 10 feet of intestines and one kidney removed, limping with nerve and hip damages, he was a physical and mental wreck but needed the money. The Texans in the boxing business knew Williams had virtually no chance against Ali. But it was Williams one-shot at the title, so he took it. It was a vomit inducing display of point and shoot for Ali, probably the low point in his heavyweight run. Image if Ali had been gut-shot with .357 magnum and almost died 4 times on the operating table, and was fighting a year or so later. Ignoring any and all facts his fans stand firm in their beliefs that Ali was magical the night he fought Cleveland, striking him like ⚒️-THOR-⚒️ and moving around with the speed of ⚡-FLASH-⚡Some eyewitnesses even swore it looked as if Ali was floating on 🌊-WATER-🌊. He was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Ali was Super-🦇-Man.

[@saqib7965]

​@@Studentofsweetscienceali whooped everyone in 60s Liston to chavalo

[@petergreen5337]

Well said and well OBSERVED.

[@joetrie]

@@saqib7965 bums cruisers and has beens

[@myerbarry9912]

@@joetrie bums? Who?

[@godmelanin2676]

Can never grow tired of Ali analysis

[@sweetazzpiew8490]

@godmelanin2676 Me either, never grow tired..

[@denzilmendes4338]

There will be none like Muhammad Ali ❤

[@hj_1881]

wait for me

[@cavaleer]

He was just starting to hit his prime in this fight. What a shame we never got to see him in full flight.

[@petergreen5337]

Agreed 100% . His tools and body were coming together.

[@thatguy7161]

Just imagine the shows he would have put on for the world to see

[@johnharris8191]

I read more and more excuses for Ali who actually was not the GOAT

[@poizons2k]

Just rewatched this fight yesterday. Absolute masterclass from Ali. Yes, Williams was recovering from wounds, but Ali’s speed and technique was at peak here. Only Ali’s fight against Ernie Terrell can rival this as his best fight.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

Cleveland Williams was 9 years older and couldn't train properly the entire year because he was in a hospital after a .357 magnum bullet hit him point blank in the stomach then lodged in his right hip. Williams had to undergo four operations in the next seven months. Williams right kidney had to be removed in June 1965. Doctors could not extract the bullet, which had broken his right hip joint and caused partial paralysis of some of the hip's muscles, he also lost over 10 feet of his small intestine, and sustained nerve damage which affected his left leg above the knee and caused it to atrophy as a result. Williams hung on and survived, his weight went down to 150 lbs during his recovery stage. A shadow of himself, 10 feet of intestines and one kidney removed, limping with nerve and hip damages, he was a physical and mental wreck but needed the money. The Texans in the boxing business knew Williams had virtually no chance against Ali. But it was Williams one-shot at the title, so he took it. It was a vomit inducing display of point and shoot for Ali, probably the low point in his heavyweight run. Image if Ali had been gut-shot with .357 magnum and almost died 4 times on the operating table, and was fighting a year or so later. Ignoring any and all facts his fans stand firm in their beliefs that Ali was magical the night he fought Cleveland, striking him like ⚒️-THOR-⚒️ and moving around with the speed of ⚡-FLASH-⚡Some eyewitnesses even swore it looked as if Ali was floating on 🌊-WATER-🌊. He was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Ali was Super-🦇-Man.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

Low-power Ali tried more than he'd ever tried before to KO someone, but Ernie Terrell was still standing in the end with zero problems. Little 205lb Norton snapped his jaw. Little 205lb Frazier knocked him into LA LAND. Low-power Ali is so over hyped it's beyond ridiculous, it's laughable.

[@Camcolito]

"Yes, his opponent had been shot and had half his guts left, BUT!"

[@sportstalkonly1442]

​@@Studentofsweetscienceyet he took punches from guys that are considered the hardest punchers ever in George foreman and earning shavers. Foreman was lifting cows, carrying jeeps uphill, and denting heavy bags. Tf r u talking about.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

@@sportstalkonly1442 Big George PANICKED.... everyone can see that.. meantime the entire world Demanded a rematch but Ali refused. Ali went back to completely washed Frazier lol.

[@kijar]

Now that’s being evasive, tactical, and being brutal in attacking. It’s not just running away to not get hit; it’s a beautiful masterpiece of a style.

[@devonpitter7733]

Muhammad Ali, in his prime, displayed the greatest, and most unparalleled boxing: skills, manouvering, and dexterity ever seen.

[@MehrdadParthian]

i'm glad you're back creating videos on muhammad ali. its always my go to content !

[@KingCuba]

10:50 I really had to choke back a tear at this. Well said, there’s something about the Golden Era that really does echo throughout time. Great video David

[@Alex-cw3rz]

I think one other thing that has to also be said is Ali's accuracy almost every punch he throws he lands and he lands them exactly were he wanted it to land. It's beautiful he landed 62% of his punches, keep in mind modern title holding heavyweights land between 20 - 30% of their shots. And even back in Ali's day when it was 40% plus, this is amazing accuracy 25 - 50% more accurate compared to his peers.

[@sharpvidtube]

Heavy hands too, often what looks like a tap, sent his opponent to the canvas. You have to see the slow motion to appreciate it sometimes, as he was so fast.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

Cleveland Williams was 9 years older and couldn't train properly the entire year because he was in a hospital after a .357 magnum bullet hit him point blank in the stomach then lodged in his right hip. Williams had to undergo four operations in the next seven months. Williams right kidney had to be removed in June 1965. Doctors could not extract the bullet, which had broken his right hip joint and caused partial paralysis of some of the hip's muscles, he also lost over 10 feet of his small intestine, and sustained nerve damage which affected his left leg above the knee and caused it to atrophy as a result. Williams hung on and survived, his weight went down to 150 lbs during his recovery stage. A shadow of himself, 10 feet of intestines and one kidney removed, limping with nerve and hip damages, he was a physical and mental wreck but needed the money. The Texans in the boxing business knew Williams had virtually no chance against Ali. But it was Williams one-shot at the title, so he took it. It was a vomit inducing display of point and shoot for Ali, probably the low point in his heavyweight run. Image if Ali had been gut-shot with .357 magnum and almost died 4 times on the operating table, and was fighting a year or so later. Ignoring any and all facts his fans stand firm in their beliefs that Ali was magical the night he fought Cleveland, striking him like ⚒️-THOR-⚒️ and moving around with the speed of ⚡-FLASH-⚡Some eyewitnesses even swore it looked as if Ali was floating on 🌊-WATER-🌊. He was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Ali was Super-🦇-Man.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

Low-power Ali tried more than he'd ever tried before to KO someone, but Ernie Terrell was still standing in the end with zero problems. Little 205lb Norton snapped his jaw. Little 205lb Frazier knocked him into LA LAND. Low-power Ali is so over hyped it's beyond ridiculous, it's laughable.

[@BarrySlisk]

@@Studentofsweetscience Thanks! Nice to read some reason once in a while. I also find Ali overrated.

[@davidrees7059]

@@Studentofsweetscience How is he overhyped? He beat elite level fighters throughout his career which lasted 20 years! What you smoking bud?

[@jamesdean1143]

“You just can’t catch him” Cleveland Williams

[@InimitaPaul]

Bro, I love your work so please take this with the respect that’s intended: On November 28, 1964, Williams, picked up on suspicion of DUI, brawled with a state highway patrolman named Dale Witten. The result: Witten drew his gun and, in the ensuing struggle, shot Williams at point blank range. “Then,” Williams would recall years later, “I went to hell.” Randy Gordon summed up the damage in World Boxing: “A .357 magnum slug had ripped into his body, traveled through his colon and bowel, penetrated his ureter, damaged some of the nerves controlling his legs, destroyed one of his kidneys, and came to rest in his right hip joint.” Over the next year or so, Williams underwent multiple surgical procedures and withered away into a skeletal version of himself. He lost one of his kidneys, had loops of his intestines removed, suffered partial paralysis in his left leg, and limped away with a bleak souvenir of his bloody tribulation: The bullet that nearly killed him remained lodged in his hip for the rest of his life. For Williams, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel left him slightly unhinged. In a desperate fugue, he crept over to the notorious Fifth Ward, where he slept in a car and wandered the streets at night. Finally, like a forlorn stray, Williams was picked up from the Houston gutters and returned to his manager, Hugh Benbow, who put him to work on his ranch in Yoakum. Williams built himself back into a fair replica of his pre-ICU days, and he returned to the ring to wallop a few bindlestiffs at the Sam Houston Coliseum down on Bagby Street. He was half the fighter he used to be. Even so, he maneuvered his way into a title shot with the help of publicity-hungry Benbow. (Oilman, rancher, wiseacre-Hugh Benbow might qualify as Runyonesque for some, but he was closer to the flesh-peddlers depicted by Robert Wise in The Set-Up or Budd Schulberg in The Harder They Fall. “Get up and fight, you yellow son of a bitch!” he squalled from ringside after Williams had been poleaxed by Ali.)

[@abdihassan7208]

source?

[@InimitaPaul]

@@abdihassan7208 Search Google for “Hannibal Boxing Brief Lives: Cleveland Williams” - I’d add a link but KZbin auto deletes them.

[@CarlDaCool168]

@@abdihassan7208You can find it easily. This actually happened.

[@aliasif8498]

Its like his hands,feet and head had a mind of their own...He moved so eloquently while landing most of the shots so effortlessly...its definitely a treat to eyes to watch him box...Nobody can come close to his boxing style of floating like a butterfly and stinging like a bee...Rest in peace GOAT...no doubt the greatest of all times inside and outside the ring..

[@petergreen5337]

Precisely. Well said and well REASONED.

[@bode228]

And its the ease of throwing those punches that often make some people come to the conclusion that they are not heavy punches....RIP Ali, the best before the rest!

[@saqib7965]

Ali was untouchable around 64 to 66 shame we missed out on 4 years of his prime but beating the outside your prime is even more impressive

[@timfoster4582]

Yep, he got his draft notice the same time as i did and his sparring partner who served with me, 1964-66 Clay changed his name to Ali and chickened out of the service

[@Gremmy1736]

@@timfoster4582 He didnt chicken out he just saw no point in fighting for a country that treated him unfairly against people who have done nothing to him

[@TheA-trainofficials.1318]

1967 ali almost reached his peak

[@JG-DivMan]

As always -- a fine analysis of a master class by Ali. "Great vengeance and furious anger..." Love the Pulp Fiction reference.

[@paysonfox88]

What does Marcellus Wallace look like? Does he look like a btich?.... so why you treating him like one?

[@memphismaverick100]

Jaw dropping ! Prime Ali was a thing of destructive beauty. There will never be another to approach this brother. GOAT ! Great analysis !

[@cheche2459]

Muhammad Ali was the best rarest Professinal Boxer in his Generation

[@petergreen5337]

Yes of all generations. We are still in awe DECADES later.

[@bhaynes64]

There is no one, and I mean no one, that would beat this version of Muhammad Ali! He's the greatest of all time, and it isn't even close. RIP Champ.

[@azzrhei]

This is one of the reason why he is loved by many because he was ahead of his time.

[@SOLE_II_SOUL]

I love Ali and this is a masterclass but legs, torso and hips is everything in boxing, and Cleveland came in not the same. Cleveland was shot in the stomach and the bullet lodged in his right hip. Williams underwent four operations over the subsequent seven months to address injuries to his colon and right kidney. The right kidney ultimately had to be removed in June 1965. Just a brief history lesson from Google, though I think Ali would’ve beaten a healthy Cleveland Williams in spectacular fashion either way.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

Cleveland Williams was 9 years older and couldn't train properly the entire year because he was in a hospital after a .357 magnum bullet hit him point blank in the stomach then lodged in his right hip. Williams had to undergo four operations in the next seven months. Williams right kidney had to be removed in June 1965. Doctors could not extract the bullet, which had broken his right hip joint and caused partial paralysis of some of the hip's muscles, he also lost over 10 feet of his small intestine, and sustained nerve damage which affected his left leg above the knee and caused it to atrophy as a result. Williams hung on and survived, his weight went down to 150 lbs during his recovery stage. A shadow of himself, 10 feet of intestines and one kidney removed, limping with nerve and hip damages, he was a physical and mental wreck but needed the money. The Texans in the boxing business knew Williams had virtually no chance against Ali. But it was Williams one-shot at the title, so he took it. It was a vomit inducing display of point and shoot for Ali, probably the low point in his heavyweight run. Image if Ali had been gut-shot with .357 magnum and almost died 4 times on the operating table, and was fighting a year or so later. Ignoring any and all facts his fans stand firm in their beliefs that Ali was magical the night he fought Cleveland, striking him like ⚒️-THOR-⚒️ and moving around with the speed of ⚡-FLASH-⚡Some eyewitnesses even swore it looked as if Ali was floating on 🌊-WATER-🌊. He was faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, Ali was Super-🦇-Man.

[@sportstalkonly1442]

​@@Studentofsweetscienceafter he was shot he had a 4 fight win streak and a 5 fight win streak after losing to Ali, including 4 kos and 2 tkos.

[@Studentofsweetscience]

@@sportstalkonly1442 against who??? Let's go through each of those opponents one at a time,, shall we???

[@sportstalkonly1442]

@@Studentofsweetscience lost against ernire terell won 9 straight fights, 4 of them was after he was shot. Then lost to Ali and won 5 straight fights.

[@sportstalkonly1442]

@@Studentofsweetscience u ain't a student of sh1t. U just a bum internet keyboard warrior. Who talk like he knows something about boxing.

[@Mal_Messiah]

I watched this fight for the first time last night before I slept, then shortly after I woke up this was uploaded. awesome!

[@gordonaughenbaugh9004]

Thanks for helping make it happen!

[@PeteHob]

Interesting analysis. A pre-exile Ali was simply amazing to watch.

[@Joe-xo4yg]

Gotta hand to hand it to Williams Fought with all his heart 👊🏾

[@jk_46]

Ali was light years ahead of other boxers from his era when it came too strategy, he really was in another league! Moving backwards and knock a guy down early on in the fight. Not many have ever been able to do that. Hands by his sides, moving slipping punches and my favorite those throw away punches he would all to often throw followed by shots that he made count. One of my favorite boxers to watch, never scared to fight anyone not even after he was out for 3 years.

[@k.rick_9993]

Sugar Ray Robinson did it before him. I don’t think I’ve seen any other heavyweights do it though.

[@jk_46]

@@k.rick_9993 another great boxer ahead of his time.

[@k.rick_9993]

@@jk_46I would say their time had a lot of great boxers

[@haikazumadesu36]

His infighting was also underrated, and had some good grappling even George Foreman couldn't use his style against him. 😂

[@youtoo2233]

Would have been very interesting to see this Ali against Frazier. In their second fight in '74 Ali looked a little bit like this but he held a lot, in the 60's he probably wouldn't have needed to clinch

[@AnthonyRobinson-dc3pq]

He wouldn't

[@yrovie]

This is the best exhibition of a boxing match I've seen in any weight class. It also served to show that Ali was just approaching his prime years (25 - 28) for a boxer; the nexus between ability, skill and experience. "Because of the forced lay off, the world never really got to see the best of Ali, but what they saw was plenty." said Angelo Dundee.

[@cartersaviking0494]

I love watching Ali, you breaking it down just enhances it.

[@gamekid2420]

He never hit a falling opponent… that is greatness

[@hansjoachimthiel2503]

Yeah, so he did with George Foreman who appreciated this so much when watching the fight on video after thinking he never lost!

[@datatron100]

I was literally thinking yesterday I wish The Modern Martial Artist would cover more of Prime Ali and then boom you upload this haha, amazing video as always of the greatest performance in boxing from the greatest of all time.

[@tekoa.9450]

“…a beautiful symphony of violence…” David, you are masterful in your work!

[@maherzain434]

This, along with the struggles and challenges he faced outside the ring is what makes him the greatest of all time. People nowadays dont know what great means

[@goyonman9655]

What struggles did he face outside the ring

[@cullex.2851]

@@goyonman9655Death threats, hate, his license getting revoked at the height of his career, etc.

[@goyonman9655]

@@cullex.2851 Bullshit Nobody was going to kill him. And the media universally adored him Licence revovked turned him into a martyr celebrity figure

[@drplot1]

You're analysis is so detailed and nuanced. I've watched this fight at least a dozen of times but never understood the fine points of Ali's techniques. Bravo!

[@remyhavoc4463]

1:29 "The bell rang and the butterfly floated around the ring" Bars 💯😂

[@MattanzaMafiaFedora]

Great analysis as usual! More fights to consider a breakdown of which to include: Rocky Marciano vs Jersey Joe Walcott Norton vs Ali III Holyfield vs Bowe II & III Lennox Lewis vs Ray Mercer Lennox Lewis vs Frank Bruno - The Battle of Britain - Joe Calzaghe vs Chris Eubank Lennox Lewis vs Vitali Klitchsko Nigel Benn vs Chris Eubank I & II Nigel Benn vs Gerald McClellan Joe Calzaghe vs Jeff Lacey Joe Calzaghe vs Mikkell Kessler Joe Calzaghe vs Bernard Hopkins Joe Calzaghe vs Roy Jones Jr

[@turbo8628]

Not sure he would do the benn mcclellan fight. It's an important fight in boxing, but not for the actual boxing.

[@MattanzaMafiaFedora]

@@turbo8628 You could say the same about 'No Mas' tbh. I'd argue that the lessons it has to teach are just as important as the Thrilla in Manilla, as Ali and Frazier got off easy compared to McClellan.

[@Alex-cw3rz]

You a bit of a Joe Calzaghe fan then?

[@grahamhill676]

Good to see some Calzaghe on here. Underrated like hell

[@turbo8628]

@@MattanzaMafiaFedora No mas was a boxing clinic and the breaking down of a fighters will, and one which had seemed unbreakable to that point. That fight was memorable for what happened in the ring. Mclellan was arrogant to the point of thinking he never needed his corner, hiring yes men who had no clue what they were doing. His downfall was his own doing, which is a horrible thing to say, but it's a fact. The fight was memorable because of the aftermath. He used to be involved in dogfighting too, and you know the comment section is going to devolve cos of that. I think the modern martial artist would be wise to stay away from this horror show.

[@panchopantera7]

"DANCE OF DEATH"...Bro, your narrations are epic. Your knowledge of the combative arts and the information you unleash are why I love being a subscriber...You bring a smile to my face every time I watch your videos...and as I said before, I rather watch your breakdowns than the actual fights, in fact; right after I watch your breakdowns I go and watch the actual fight...something missing though, your narrations...but I have a better understanding of what is happening; the little things that sometimes too fast I missed before. Excellent Work! BRAVO! 👏

[@lawrencelowe193]

EXCELLENT work Sir..Beautiful and so professionally delivered...YOU do your homework!..BRAVO..

[@LoganNagol]

I honestly think his most impressive performance was his first match against Liston

[@Harry24766]

This was an amazing performance from prime Ali. But I agree with you, the Liston fight to me was a even better performance, because of the level of his opponent.

[@paysonfox88]

Here is a case for Sonny Liston being one of the best boxers ever. His promoters and trainers claimed to have been born in 1932 or so , so that he could be licensed... but his real birthday was in 1919-1921. He started boxing in the 50's professionally. He may not have been licensed if they told the boxing commission his real age , so they had to lie to get him on track to get good fights. \ He was fighting Ali when he was 43-45 yrs old. That';s one hell of a handicap to give Ali. Ali would've out-pointed Sonny at any age, but being 2x Ali's age could not have helped him in the stamina department. Sonny couldn't catch him and got too tired chasing him around.

[@petergreen5337]

YES in terms of results. Here we are looking at 1) technique 2) footwork. 3) know how 4) delivery of knockout.

[@ronald8792]

I think the Foreman fight is my favorite Ali boxing match because he never ducked, thus, taking away George's deadly uppercut.

[@cullex.2851]

@@paysonfox88True, but Ali fought Liston while blind for 2/7 rounds, he was still considered a kid, and I saw a documentary claiming Ali was 199.

[@cianmcnamara6104]

We will never see a Muhammad Ali again

[@amodestpileofgarbage1146]

But at least we got to see him

[@fuyu5979]

Awesome upload with Spot On analysis n strategy of the fight. Kudos. Provide more uploads of boxers like Marvin Hagler; Iron Mike etc. Peace

[@alektech7436]

Sweet mother of God! Didnt even dream about you breaking that down! Awesomeeeee

[@luismarcialvergaradiaz5363]

I haven't watched the fight but i heard it was the best performance of ali and now we're getting a breakdown of the whole thing, thanks TMMA!

[@arsenal-slr9552]

My favorite Ali fight on my birthday. Wilson Kaydens old breakdown of this fight is one of the reasons I watch boxing today. Great video as always.

[@mlungisizondo8827]

Your videos are always great.. Thank you

[@peterparsons7141]

What a terrific video. Some of the photos are fantastic, and the analysis excellent. I saw an interview with George Chuvalo, and he mentions the same point you made regarding allowing punches to miss by 1”. George said there were times where Ali was setup perfect to be hit, and punch would sail by the chin just barely missing. And he did it repeatedly..

[@Tennyhu]

Incredible breakdown !!

[@daleigou943]

Great commentary!

[@nicolasmanopla4584]

Great analysis of my favourite boxing fight

[@earthwizard1]

Great video as usual

[@crinawma314]

Ali was beautiful. As far as i can tell he doesn't hold grudges. He box for something bigger than himself. He is the one motivating his team when it's supposed to be the other way around Mike Tyson: "Ali's a giant" Couldn't have said it better myself.

[@goodboi1725]

Frazier’s existence makes me question that claim a lot. Doesn’t mean anything though since they mellowed out after the Manila fight

[@markmiller5558]

The Big Cat at this time was a shadow of his former self. People seem to forget that 2 years before he fought Ali he was shot in the abdomen with a .357. His injuries were grievous. He had a kidney removed, 10 feet of his small intestine removed, his right hip socket was broken with extensive nerve damage to both legs causing atrophy and partial paralysis. It is debatable if he could have ever won against Ali in his prime, but the '66 version probably shouldn't have even been fighting. He never stood a chance

[@jamesdean1143]

Like Ken Norton, Cleveland Williams kept his eyes down in the pre match instructions.

[@Joshua-uw7wm]

9:34 that pulp fiction Bible verse quote thingy was freaking awesome

[@jonathanwilliams8309]

Another superb video that was a pleasure to watch. This version of the Greatest beats any Heavyweight in history, by stoppage.

[@trollbane66]

I find Cleveland's journey back into the ring to be far more inspiring than Ali's performance in this fight. It is a miracle that Cleveland made it back. It was a victory for him to be standing in the ring again.

[@Kuragdar]

Even your use of language. I absolutely love your commentaries!

[@stuartcamps2205]

without all the crappy fight hype of other channels, you do these shows with the same finesse and class as some of the fighters you feature... rare these days... :)

[@pavlemarinkovic6081]

There will never be someone like him again

[@Veloce2000]

There will never be another Ali who talked, fought & dance. RIP Muhammad Ali❤

[@jeffg6008]

I doubt ANY heavyweight of ANY era could have beaten Ali this night. Absolute prime of his career.

[@clintcoronel4866]

Bravo 👏🏽 good piece

[@jimibeamon7316]

The GOAT at work!!!!! Masterpiece!!!!

[@bubrzubr5940]

I almost forgot to watch this fight today. Thanks for a reminder.

[@fantasymangacomicvisionary5688]

Ali in his Prime had God Like Stamina, Vision, Speed and Skills. The Greatest Of All Times. During this time they had to slow down Ali career with the B.S or he would've made them look so inferior it wouldn't have been funny.

[@thiagoballock5273]

Amazing video. Obrigado

[@Daanyaal_]

This video was on JRE. Good job 👍🏽

[@Fathervinyard]

my favourite ali fight ali displayed his full armoury in this fight …. against a shot big cat though must be mentioned

[@ScroogeMcDuck.]

@ TMMA, WHAT’S YOUR ANALYSIS OF THE TERENCE CRAWFORD AND ERROL SPENCE FIGHT?? WE NEED THAT VID 💥🥊

[@greyghostscsa394]

As stated in several comments already Williams was at a disadvantage. He had been gut shot by a cop and had sections of his intestines removed and had to endure a grueling recovery process. If Ali had fought the same Cleveland Williams that had fought Sonny Liston it would have been a more competitive fight. Ali probably still would have won as he was much faster than Williams. Ali’s speed and quick reactions were superior to almost all fighters of any era.

[@robertfogarty4399]

One of the greatest masterpieces ever recorded on film.

[@thecoldbrewking]

one of my favorite performances from the GOAT this one and the Terrell fight

[@jamesdean1143]

Ali described Williams as a “built guy”.

[@BruceTheSpruceM]

Great video

[@ballhawk387]

I don't think any boxer known to humanity could have beat Ali at the top of his game, which this fight was. He was truly in a class of his own. With his chin and mobility unmatched for a heavyweight, he could have even survived and outpointed Marciano.

[@verrufen2642]

Might this be the only fight on record where Ali utilises the body jab consistently?

[@phantomforester9337]

He used it against Terrell. You can see it most when Terrell adopts a peekaboo--Terrell then went into a crouch to avoid the body jabs.

[@verrufen2642]

@@phantomforester9337 and that's gotta be considered his second most dominant performance, right after this fight

[@DavidLoveOfficial]

My favourite fight, this is poetry. Absolutely peerless.

[@MmGocrazy-rs1cc]

His footwork and head movements were sick

[@myerbarry9912]

Simply Amazing!

[@kahsee334]

That foot work hit different bru a whole heavy weight moving like a 140 pounder sheeeddd

[@eddicarlo5362]

Crazy to think that this isn’t even Ali in his true prime. We never got to see the very best of Ali.

[@robertiqbal3834]

Your vids never miss bro. Quick request, not a whole lot of tape on him, but you should check out my team mate Kevin Vannostrand. He had a kickboxing match against Giga Chikadze and won. Super nice guy and amazing fighter

[@charliediaz7512]

Ali would have beaten anyone in history that night

[@kdc0079]

“With great vengeance and furious anger” one of the best pulp fiction quotes lmao

[@BarrySlisk]

I once saw Ali fight a toddler. Ali danced around the toddler confusing him and then he'd sting like a bee. Never have I seen such a beatdown. Ali's best performance. Point: Cleveland was a shot stationary target. Everyone would look good against him at this point.

[@murtalasaleh7311]

3.5 years Ali forced exile was a crime against humanity 😢

[@jamesbarbour8400]

Whilst I personally used to think this was indeed Alis' greatest fight, my opinion was leavened by the fact that Cleveland Williams was on the decline physically by the time this fight came around. He had been shot by an over zealous Policeman (now where have we heard that before.....), had had part of his intestine taken out and a kidney too I think. One of his legs suffered muscle atrophy as a result of the same shooting incident. I had read elsewhere that he was actually terrified to get in the ring with Ali, but to give him credit, he stood toe to toe and didn't try to run away. It was therefore a rather one sided affair. I think Alis' fight against Ernie Terrell was a more realistic showing of his rather unorthodox skill set. Terrell certainly wasn't afraid of Ali like Williams was and had a good solid defence in the so called peek a boo style. Like Williams, Terrell was a good deal more muscular than Ali, but as the rounds wore on, the difference in skill level, not to mention Alis' insane level of stamina won out. I doubt Terrell ever called him Cassius Clay again, after that whoopin' !

[@the1deadman543]

Ali and iron Mike are my 2 most favorite boxers of all time. I would give anything to meet Tyson..man. legends Ali was just out of this world with movement and skills. And inspired other great fighters , like Tyson. All the time I watch Tyson and Ali fights and introduce my son to them.

[@terrywright9765]

Amazing for a heavyweight to move like that round after round. The Master of his craft.

[@ellejaycopeland8835]

This is my favorite boxing match from my personal Goat Ali when he died I cried miss you champ.

[@dctbass]

No 220lb boxer has ever moved like Ali did in this fight. Mesmerising and balletic.

[@Beautiful-Sickening-Rolex]

gotta be fair to Williams and emphasise how shot he was...for that reason I don't think it is Ali's best performance at all

[@yawontsmokemebicth4922]

Ik Ima needs a Marco Antonio Barrera or Juan Francisco Estrada fighting style explained great vid by the Way

[@moondogaudiojones1146]

Ali was brilliant and so fun to watch. Glad I grew up with this legend on the radio and on TV.

[@danielhkhk7283]

A thing of beauty.

[@marklipson]

Ali showed people like me who didn’t know much about boxing that talent and genius were part of the sport. Like Jordan in basketball, and maybe even more, Babe Ruth. Their skills and abilities so undeniable there is no question just looking at them that they're the best at what they do. That obvious greatness. It's extremely rare, even among the greats.

[@GaiJinGringo]

Do the Patterson fights !!