Most Popular Boxer of all time?

[Kastrioti]

I'd have to say either Tyson or Ali, I have yet to meet a person who doesn't know either one.

[JAB5239]

Seriously guys?


Ali wasn't as popular in his prime than he is now. He was a controversial figure that you either loved or hated. He is shown more love now for his courage to stand up in what he thought was right.

I agree Ali wasn't as popular in his prime, butr after he lost to Frazier he became insanely popular for proving he was more substance than hype. Today, I don't think there is a more popular or well known athlete all time.

Tyson? People didn't LOVE Tyson they way they loved Sugar Ray Leonard. He was the Golden Boy before the Golden Boy. Tyson everyone feared and wanted to see him KO people. But he didn't have that mega-watt smile that the average family household would adore.

You don't have to be loved to be popular. People didn't just want to see Tyson...they HAD to see him.

SUGAR RAY LEONARD!

Popular and adored!

[ReadyUp]

lol DLH is almost unheard of outside USA and Mexico, Tyson and Ali are household names to non boxing fans, hell even non sport fans; throughout the world.

So that makes them popular?
Being known doesn't make you the best liked.


Yes, they had huge audience's. That's no question.

But goddamn, SRL had the world watching AND cheering.

[Da Hammer]

To me its easily Tyson because of all the excitement and buzz he brought to the sport everyone wanted to watch or see how quickly he would KO his opponent. Even a lot non-boxing fans i knew would want to watch cause of everything they heard. Also didnt Ali become huge until after his prime??? thats what ive heard...

[Aetius]

Ali (regardless of our opinions as boxing aficionados), much like the man known as Pelé, happens to be one of the handful (if even) of athletes who truly transcended their sporting endeavours and proceeded onto the realm of the all pervasive cultural icon.

Not even the likes of Michael Jordan et al can compare in regards to global recognition. Granted however, it is a shame that something as universally applicable, and inherently simple as boxing is no longer where it was. Diffusion of markets anyone? Bastards.

Apologies for the tangent.

[ReadyUp]

This thread should have been, "Who was the most well-known boxer of all time?"

Because seriously you guys are killing me on this Tyson ****.

[WhoreUs]

To me its easily Tyson because of all the excitement and buzz he brought to the sport everyone wanted to watch or see how quickly he would KO his opponent. Even a lot non-boxing fans i knew would want to watch cause of everything they heard. Also didnt Ali become huge until after his prime??? thats what ive heard...

yeah ali became huge after his prime.

but remember he was past prime early due to the layoff.

past prime ali was the guy who fought frazier , norton , foreman , holmes etc.

past prime ali had a long career and a better resume than prime anyone else.

[Scott9945]

I vote Joe Louis.. During WWII EVERYONE tuned in to watch his fight with Schmellin.
A great moment in American history.. I don't think Ali, Tyson or De La Hoya EVER had practically EVERYONE in the country watching.

Joe Louis should have been on that list way before De La Hoya ever was. Absolutely no comparison. In his time Louis may have been the most popular athlete in history.

[Flawless 2]

Bernard Hopkins name should be thrown into the mix

[ReadyUp]

Bernard Hopkins name should be thrown into the mix

Holy ****.

I'm ****ing done.