When I was 12 or 13 Mike Tyson was beginning his rampage through the heavyweight division. I was convinced that he was the greatest fighter ever because he hit guys hard and they got knocked the fuck out. Also, because I was 12 or 13.
Later, as I got into boxing a lot more, I came to understand that a big punch isn’t all that big if the other guy sees it coming from a mile away. And that a counterpunch, even if it’s relatively soft, can be devastating if it catches your opponent with his guard down.
I quit watching boxing at some point in the 1990s, but that’s a lesson I’ve held on to. RIP Muhammad Ali.
