The German challenger pressed behind awkward angles and drove his left hand into Ali’s body. Ali was accustomed to orthodox heavyweights following him around and walking into his jab. Mildenberger’s reversed stance changed the location of the openings and forced the champion to calculate instead of simply performing.
Ali’s jab initially ran toward Mildenberger’s lead shoulder rather than the center of his face. He also had to judge distance against a right foot and right hand occupying positions normally filled by an orthodox opponent’s left side.
The tactical answer came through Ali’s feet. By circling outsi
