[PUGACHEV]

Few these days remember Ali vs. The Pelican Man. I was in High School at the time, and even many fight fans here took little notice of the match. Sadly, it had grave consequences for Ali. His legs were never the same from all of the kicks he took. Without his ability to "float like a butterfly", Ali had to change his style and adopt the Rope-a-Dope, which may have lead to his present condition.

[the_individual2014]

I remember my dad talking about that, and yeah Ali got to cocky thinking he could whup a smaller man easy, but he was the one who got whupped, and in all honesty the average boxer unless they learn multiple martial styles cannot compete with modern MMA fighters in the octagon, its way too diverse and many ways you can take someone out, even without striking, for example Royce Gracie back in the 90’s.

[the_individual2014]

I remember my dad talking about that, and yeah Ali got to cocky thinking he could whup a smaller man easy, but he was the one who got whupped, and in all honesty the average boxer unless they learn multiple martial styles cannot compete with modern MMA fighters in the octagon, its way too diverse and many ways you can take someone out, even without striking, for example Royce Gracie back in the 90’s.

[zeestephen]

RE: “Pelican Man”

Ali was almost 35 years old in that fight.

His legs were gone five years earlier, when he had to do Rope-A-Dope against Joe Frazier in 1971.

[Talisker]

Few these days remember Ali vs. The Pelican Man. I was in High School at the time, and even many fight fans here took little notice of the match. Sadly, it had grave consequences for Ali. His legs were never the same from all of the kicks he took. Without his ability to "float like a butterfly", Ali had to change his style and adopt the Rope-a-Dope, which may have lead to his present condition.

Absolutely fascinating post, thanks! Answers questions I've had for years about Ali. I never heard of Inoki or this fight and I was in HS too at the time.