Armstrong vs Ali - Who's greater?

[Stoppage]

I've seen a few all-time great lists and these fighters seem to battle for the number two spot behind Robinson.

So who's greater? Armstrong or Ali?

[Slimey Limey]

Both are greater than Gay Robinson.

[Stoppage]

Both are greater than Gay Robinson.

When a child finds a boxing forum.

[Slimey Limey]

When a child finds a boxing forum.

Says the fan of rap music. That alone shows the amount of brain cells you possess.

[RightCross94]

Says the fan of rap music. That alone shows the amount of brain cells you possess.

Urrgh, you hate Ray and rap. **** you

[blacklodge]

I think you have to put Armstrong above Ali. Of course, I wouldn't have Ali in the top 5 anyway. I usually don't like to isolate just one thing when it comes to assesing greatness, but it applies to Armstrong. 3 simultanious titles, out of 8 eligible. Possibly was screwed out of a 4th. That's enough to top Ali, although it should be said that Ali being the 2nd fighter to regain the heavyweight title and the 1st to win it 3 times is highly impressive, but not in today's context. Plus, Armstrong had over 100 knockouts (that we know of). That's just sick. I put him at #2 behind Robinson and don't feel bad for it. I complete it with Ezzard Charles, Roberto Duran and Harry Greb. But I don't put much stock in that, as I prefer to judge fighters that I saw as they were fighting at somewhere near their best, or from the early 80s on.

[BennyST]

You have Charles in your top five P4P? Why?

I can understand having him high but five is way too high! He just didn't do enough to put him over all those other greats.

[JAB5239]

You have Charles in your top five P4P? Why?

I can understand having him high but five is way too high! He just didn't do enough to put him over all those other greats.

Five may be generous, but I've always considered Charles in very high regard. His resume is outstanding.

[BennyST]

You know, I always find it amazing thinking about those guys that become greats and lose their first pro fight. Both Marquez brothers come to mind recently.

Armstrong of course was knocked out in his first fight.

But, there are a few little questions on some of his achievements. First, most people think he was the first fighter to hold three titles simultaneously. Her was the first to hold the FW, LW and WW but not the first to hold three at once. Barney Ross was.

Also, the fight for the middleweight title was not actually a world title fight. It was only a state middleweight title so even if he won it would not have been for a world title, though there could be some confusion surrounding that but that's what I remember.

Anyway, with what he did who really cares about that. The guy was amazing. Doesn't he hold the most WW title defenses too or something? I can't remember. Incredible fighter though with so many legends on his resume. I personally do have him above Ali, but I think most people won't.

Jab: Yeah man, I agree completely. Charles was one of my favourite fighters, and still is, but five is very high considering all the other fighters that would be below him. You could make an argument for the top ten but five is pushing it IMO. Still, considering his resume you could have him him anywhere close to the top I guess.

[blacklodge]

You have Charles in your top five P4P? Why?

I can understand having him high but five is way too high! He just didn't do enough to put him over all those other greats.

Greatest LH ever in my view despite getting screwed out of ever getting a title shot at 175, has multiple wins over Archie Moore, Joey Maxim, Jimmy Bivins and later Jersey Joe Walcott, to name a few. Supremely talented fighter. I usually tend to stay away from making choices like this because of all the historical weirdness, who's mob controled, who threw what fight, who really won this and lost that, but I'm sold on Charles. I would say he dominated the 40s at 175 as much as any fighter dominated any other decade at any weight class other than Robinson at 147.