I'd say just the opposite. No fighter will ever surpass the "greatness" of Ali, but I think Louis is probably the better fighter.
It's so hard to compare different eras, but Ali never really faced a puncher who had the power in the short, straight punches that Louis did. And judging from the trouble Ali had with Clark and Frazier's left hooks, then Dempsey could've given him acres worth of trouble. Ali almost always found a way to come through, though, and with everything he did for the sport then you HAVE to say he's the "greatest." But that doesn't mean he'd beat any HW.
Both were great and had their impact on society, my pick would be Ali. From the footage I saw from louis he didn't have as much lateral movement that Ali had, but either fighter is an understandable choice.
They were both the best of their era, neither was ever accused of ducking anyone, and both had their frailties. Ali was succeptable to the left hook, Lewis to the straight right. Both were men of conviction, and both fought on beyond their prime. Both were KOed in the end by their nemesis, or men who looked up to them in their own youth, Holmes and Marciano. Personally I rate Lewis a little higher, and I saw both. Ali was a slapper and Lewis a puncher. They also both had fighters seemingly beneath their stature who made them look ordinary. Just my opinion.
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