Frank,
I can't speak for all boxers, but the great ones have fantastic footwork, balance, and agility. Most of your argument is based on assumptions. I have a degree in Biomechanics and have been doing this for 23 years. I do happen to know what I am talking about and can assure you that I am not assuming, but using information based on scientific fact.
Sounds great, but I'm not talking about putting a boxer up against a regular Joe. Your assumption that somehow footwork that isn't trained to withstand a direct attack is going to be effective in this particular scenario just isn't common sense for me. Subsequently once you disrupt the footwork, which is the real source of power (including the hips), everything else begins to fall like a house of cards. As a fighter this is a huge concession and would in theory be difficult to overcome. It's not even much of a theory anymore either as time and time again we see how weak boxing skills are against various martial art styles.
I'm not saying just any martial artist could take down the boxing greats, but certainly Bruce Lee with his philosophy of using what works in any given fight puts those who rely on a fixed ruleset at an extreme disadvantage.
Your appeal to authority is interesting and I would be fascinated to see more evidence of an experienced boxer being able to overcome an experienced martial artist. Boxing is certainly a difficult and brutal sport to master and all of the boxing greats had tremendous physical ability, but I don't think the biomechanics of that particular sport would enable them to hold their own against a martial arts legend. Feel free to post more on the subject!
Size and power are important but they tend to be mitigated by conditioning, intelligence and technique. All of which Bruce Lee had in spades over the comparatively unrefined talents of the boxing greats of the 20th century.
I will agree that if a boxer is on the ground, advantage grappler. Boxers don't train to fight while on the ground. Doesn't mean they can't, we have no idea about the background for some of these guys. But, if they are on their feet, advantage boxer.
Well, heh, the fight ain't over till someone hits the ground and can't get back up anyway.
It's tough because we have two guys who summed up different boxing styles so perfectly in Frazier and Foreman but with Ali he got away with risky boxing technique because he was so much faster than his competition. He also tended to have longer reach. I just hate to ruin it by throwing in the martial arts wrench in the gears! He would mauintain a sizeable reach over Lee, but remember Bruce was already taking into account fights with much taller men like Kareem.
No, to make this a truly fair and interesting fight, I'd have to give both sides a chance to train for a good year leading up to the event so there would be a chance for Ali to develop a strategy that would keep Lee at bay. I'd still be worried for the man's knees.
Frank,
I've enjoyed our discussion. Thank you.
Much respect! Hope you keep posting. I assume you are a boxer?
