Muhammad Ali- Was he the greatest heavyweight?

[-Antonio-]

Its always been clear in my eyes. Ali is the best heavyweight ever. Louis dominated a weaker era. Ali beat some of the best heavyweights ever. There was nothing contraversial about the first Liston fight or the Foreman fight, or the second and third Fraizer fights. All three of those heavyweights are in most peoples top 10. And that doesnt even factor in the other good fighters that he beat. Its no contest imo.

[werewolf]

"There was nothing contraversial about the first Liston fight or the Foreman fight..."



Surely you jest!




ww

[THE REAL NINJA]

Its always been clear in my eyes. Ali is the best heavyweight ever. Louis dominated a weaker era. Ali beat some of the best heavyweights ever. There was nothing contraversial about the first Liston fight or the Foreman fight, or the second and third Fraizer fights. All three of those heavyweights are in most peoples top 10. And that doesnt even factor in the other good fighters that he beat. Its no contest imo.

I could be wrong here but didn't Louis beat more hall of famers and more former champions then any other heavyweight ?
Ali's still better .

[Panamaniac]

I could be wrong here but didn't Louis beat more hall of famers and more former champions then any other heavyweight ?
Ali's still better .

That may be true, but in my view, the most impressive stat attributed to Louis is the 25 consecutive succesful defenses of his title, which accounted for the longest reign of a heavyweight champion.

During Ali's prime, I too got caught-up in the idea of him being "The Greatest", but as I've grown older, my objectivity has blossomed and today I rate "The Brown Bomber" #1, based solely on his accomplishment(s) inside the ring.

Don't get me wrong, in many respects - not the least of which is his stature as a sports icon - Muhammad Ali is and always will be The Greatest. Just not as a fighter.

[Steelhammer86]

That may be true, but in my view, the most impressive stat attributed to Louis is the 25 consecutive succesful defenses of his title, which accounted for the longest reign of a heavyweight champion.

I agree. That was 25 successful unanimous title defenses by Lewis, not 25 alphabet title defenses like from the early 1960's on, since there was only one universal sanctioning organization then. Joe Louis never lost a fight in his prime, between ages 24 and 35 inclusive. Muhammed Ali officially lost 2 to Frazier and Norton, at ages 29 and 31 (and perhaps should have lost another 2 or 3 close decisions that were given to him).

[Panamaniac]

...Joe Louis never lost a fight in his prime, between ages 24 and 35 inclusive. Muhammed Ali officially lost 2 to Frazier and Norton, at ages 29 and 31 (and perhaps should have lost another 2 or 3 close decisions that were given to him).

During Louis' active reign and domination, they coined the frase "bum of the month club" in reference to his efficient disposition of all opponents matched against him. It reminds me of a movie executive taking auditions and dismissing those who fail to qualify by hollerin' "next."

In fairness to, and in defense of Ali, it could be argued that he was robbed of his prime by his three-year unjust layoff.

[Steelhammer86]

In fairness to, and in defense of Ali, it could be argued that he was robbed of his prime by his three-year unjust layoff.

True, but Joe Louis at his peak had to go over to Europe to fight in WW 2. They say after that layoff, Joe was never quite as sharp as before, but he still won all his title fights for the next four years after he returned!

[mainload]

This looks to be an old thread at this stage, but for me Ali was The Greatest!

Muhammad Ali

[aussieboxer2320]

he was very good, definitely in the top 5 heavies of all time, but i think joe louis and rocky marciano were better