Ali, the greatest sportsman ever?

[JAB5239]

Was there ever a greater sportsman than Ali? You can argue all day if there were better fighters. I personally rank Louis ahead of him. But sportsman?

https://www.insidehook.com/article/s...e-gordon-parks

[Thunderstruck]

The greatest ever!Louis had problems with movement.Billy conn a perfect example .60s Clay would kill him .

[JAB5239]

The greatest ever!Louis had problems with movement.Billy conn a perfect example .60s Clay would kill him .

Ali is easily the better showman. I'm not sure he was the better heavyweight or would beat Louis.

At his peak he struggled with fighters that were not even close to having Joe's skill set. Folley gave him fits amonst others. Ali was great. But no fighter was unbeatable.

[Thunderstruck]

Ali is easily the better showman. I'm not sure he was the better heavyweight or would beat Louis.

At his peak he struggled with fighters that were not even close to having Joe's skill set. Folley gave him fits amonst others. Ali was great. But no fighter was unbeatable.

Louis had plenty of struggles during his bum of the month club.Check out the 1st conn fight.A fight like this would bring out a focused clay and Louis as great as he was could not deal with a fast moving fighter.Conn was a light heavy.

[ShoulderRoll]

Babe Ruth and Michael Jordan excelled at their sports just as much and were similar cultural icons.

[Tatabanya]

Based on the definition of "sportsman" - and not on fame, media hype and iconic value - one should consider Jim Thorpe as one of the greatest, if not THE greatest sportsman of all time.

[QueensburyRules]

Based on the definition of "sportsman" - and not on fame, media hype and iconic value - one should consider Jim Thorpe as one of the greatest, if not THE greatest sportsman of all time.

- -Greatest athlete hands down, but as an international persona, Manny Pacquiao hands down.

[DeeMoney]

If by sportsman you mean who dominated their sport by the largest amount, then no. Ruth and Jordan have already been listed, i would add Gretzky, Chamberlain, and maybe a few others to the list.

If you mean a composite of athletic ability, than no. Someone brought up Thorpe, which is one of several track athletes who had a greater combination of strength, speed, agility, and endurance (as that is the goal of their training). You could argue that a number of swimmers would be superior in this way too.

If sportsman means a combination of those two, as well as cultural relevance and celebrity (giving heavy consideration for that third category). Then yes- at least as far as north american athletes go.

[QueensburyRules]

If by sportsman you mean who dominated their sport by the largest amount, then no. Ruth and Jordan have already been listed, i would add Gretzky, Chamberlain, and maybe a few others to the list.

If you mean a composite of athletic ability, than no. Someone brought up Thorpe, which is one of several track athletes who had a greater combination of strength, speed, agility, and endurance (as that is the goal of their training). You could argue that a number of swimmers would be superior in this way too.

If sportsman means a combination of those two, as well as cultural relevance and celebrity (giving heavy consideration for that third category). Then yes- at least as far as north american athletes go.

- -And Wilt dominated Jordan statistically who's a relative soft lad when it comes to Babe and Wilt eras.

Manny opened up the vast 3 billion Asian market though if sportsman means marketing, maybe Jordan hard to top with all the soft lad support.

[Willie Pep 229]

'sportsman'

a man who takes part in a sport, especially as a professional

a person who behaves sportingly

a man who hunts or shoots wild animals as a pastime