Muhammad Ali- Was he the greatest heavyweight?

[Derranged_]

I have recently read several books on some of Muhammad Ali's

fights and have discovered that he won alot of controversial

decisions over fighters like Ken Norton, Jimmy Young, Ernie

Shavers that could have easily gone in their favor. Ali rose

to occasion to beat great fighters like Foreman, Frazier, Liston.

But he wasn't always consistent, so was he the greatest

heavyweight of all time or was it the hype the he built up?

[spinksjinx]

I have recently read several books on some of Muhammad Ali's

fights and have discovered that he won alot of controversial

decisions over fighters like Ken Norton, Jimmy Young, Ernie

Shavers that could have easily gone in their favor. Ali rose

to occasion to beat great fighters like Foreman, Frazier, Liston.

But he wasn't always consistent, so was he the greatest

heavyweight of all time or was it the hype the he built up?

Im not a fan of Ali, I give him credit where it was due. Controversial or not the "W" is all that matters (some people like to throw that in an argument)

Great fighter and easily put in anyones top 10 but listing him as number 1 in every list (as some people do) is a bit disgusting to me.


Joe Louis was a far better heavyweight than Ali in my opinion and I rank ali in my top 3.

[Bombardier]

I have recently read several books on some of Muhammad Ali's

fights and have discovered that he won alot of controversial

decisions over fighters like Ken Norton, Jimmy Young, Ernie

Shavers that could have easily gone in their favor. Ali rose

to occasion to beat great fighters like Foreman, Frazier, Liston.

But he wasn't always consistent, so was he the greatest

heavyweight of all time or was it the hype the he built up?

A lot of fighters were not consistent. The difference is that most of them lost the fights where they were weak. Witness Louis-Schmeling I, Demspey-Tunney I, Ali-Foreman I (for Foreman), Ali-Liston I (for Liston), Tyson-Douglas, Lewis-Rahman I, Hagler-Leonard, and many others. You could call some of Ali's wins controversial but that is always a matter for debate.

The knock against Ali is his punching power. Not that it was terrible, but he was known for his footwork and his smarts, not his throws. That being said, he took on two of the biggest bruisers ever (Liston and Foreman) and used his skills to win. Still, a lot of the pundits like their heavies to be throwers, not dancers, and will never list Ali as the greatest because of this.

I go back and forth on this question quite a bit. I used to think it was Joe Louis or nothing as the greatest but his slow footwork and sometimes shaky defence bother me. Dempsey was maybe the best heavy brawler of all time but it's difficult to measure such an old fighter against more modern champions. Right now I would say that yes, Ali is the greatest by a small margin. Though ask me next week and I might change my mind .

[SonnyG8R]

Ali and Louis are definitely 1-2. I rank Ali slightly higher because he beat the best set of opponents of any fighter, ever. And don't forget, Ali lost over 3 years of his prime. Imagine what we'd be saying about him if politics didn't rob the sport he loved from a full, uninterupted career. For speed, ring savy, chin and heart Ali had no match.

That's just my opinion, but I'm right.

[JOM'S]

As a kid during the seventies I believe my Dad, when he told me that Ali was the Greatest....

I believe my father then, even more so now, when I learned more about the Man himself, I definetly believe Ali more today on his claim as the Greatest (beating all the best HW of his era, beat all guys who has a claim on the top 10 or 20 HW of all time, well except maybe for Holmes)...

Only Heavy Weight Champ that can Claim that he can fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee...

[cple]

What other heavyweight can claim that they beat 2 or 3 of the top 10 heavyweights of all-time?

[hexman]

i dont think he was the best ever

[neils7147933]

i dont think he was the best ever

I typically stay out of "history" discussions as I am just learning much of the history of boxing myself (watched Hagler-Briscoe last night)

All I've seen was from some documentary footage, but I've got to think Jack Johnson belongs in this discussion.

[Soundtraveler]

Ali and Louis are definitely 1-2. I rank Ali slightly higher because he beat the best set of opponents of any fighter, ever. And don't forget, Ali lost over 3 years of his prime. Imagine what we'd be saying about him if politics didn't rob the sport he loved from a full, uninterupted career. For speed, ring savy, chin and heart Ali had no match.

That's just my opinion, but I'm right.

You are indeed correct, and may I add that there has been only one other figure in sports history to have transcended to such world wide recognition. That being Michael Jordan, who I believe has passed even the great Babe Ruth...

[Boxerdog]

"I am the greatest of ALL TIMES!!!!!!"


He couldn't say that unless it was true.