How good was Muhammad Ali?

Question

How good was he? Was he the greatest?

Unfortunately I am too young to remember him, apart from him appearing on Parkinson. Did he appear on many chat shows in the states?

I believe at one time he was one of the most hated men in America. If this is true, why?

I know rocky is a fictional character, but if he was real and they had fought each other at their peak, who would have won?

For those reading this in the UK, was one of Ali’s fights in the 70’s shown live in the middle of the night?

Thanks

Answer 1

Alot of people did hate him and if you read these answers throughout boxing answers alot still do. Ali was the greatest boxer in history any division. You might read that Robinson is the greatest boxer ever, Ali was better, even if Ali himself says Robinson he is being modest. Ali would win by TKO over Rocky.

Answer 2

I loved Muhammad Ali, I cried when he lost to Holmes. However, he is not the greatest sportsman ever. Jackie Robinson had more importance than Ali. I also look at Babe Didrikson who dominated 2 sports. Billie Jean King was just as big during the same time as Ali and championed women's issues. Edwin Moses didn't lose a race for 10 years and dominated 2 Olympics, it would have been 3 but in 1980 the US boycotted. He championed Drug testing and was responsible for amateur athlete eligibility rule changes. He went on to be a Physicist and Engineer. Yes, Ali is the greatest in his sport and he was a great champion but there are so many out there that are just as great or greater.

Answer 3

He was easily, the greatest sportsman of all time.
He appeared on Parkinson 3 times. He did so, because he had great respect for Michael Parkinson.

He was one of the most hated men in America, by white people.
Apartheid was in place and black people were not allowed into a lot of places where whites were. He helped to change the minds of American whites by his words, beliefs and actions.

He would not go to war against Innocent people who lived 10,000 miles away, He said that, he had no argument with them. By not signing up to fight, he went to prison for 3 years. He lost those years, when he was in his prime. Can you imagine how many extra fights he would have won?

Rocky would not have been able to lay a punch on Ali, he was so fast. Rocky would have been too embarrassed to be in the same ring. He said of himself, that he "floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee. "Anyway, his first opponent, was partly based on Ali.

Finally, I am from the UK, and yes, people did sit up into the middle of the night. But, that is not strange, I have just sat up through the night watching 25 days of cricket, Australia v England.

Answer 4

Ali was as everyone says the greatest.I'm from England,not an avid boxing fan but pretty keen on it.With re:Rocky vs Ali I'd most definately put my money on Ali although it'd be a bloody good fight.Who knows they may bring a computer game out with the 2 of them in,which would be a good idea since 2007 marks Ali's 65th b'day and the release of what is said to be the last Rocky film...Rocky6.Of course there have been other great boxers but none seemed to have stayed around for as long.There was controversy around him at times one of the reasons being his association with a certain Malcom X!! Also there may be a query of his national service or lack of it due to his Muslim religious beliefs.Hope this is of some use to you

Answer 5

I was one when he last fought.........but I have all the collection of his fights on dvd. I've read his biography too. He captivated the sports world like no other. He's good at selling himself and the sports. He's an athlete like no other.
He was a great fighter but when his boxing license was suspended for three years for not going to Vietnam, he was never the same after that. When he came back, he lost some of his speed but was still a great boxer. He fought the best in the business and put boxing on the map.
Many people hated him then for draft dodging but now he's admired for sticking to his beliefs no matter what the consequences is.

Answer 6

He was the greatest. It's not his nick name for nothing. He'd had mopped the floor with Rocky Balboa (and Apollo Creed for that matter) if they were real fighters. When he announced he'd joined the Nation of Islam America turned on him black and white. He became, in that instant, the most hated man in the United States. A notable quote regarding Ali comes from basketball great Bill Russell. "Philosophically, Ali was a free man. "...he was free at a time when historically it was very difficult to be free..."

Answer 7

Muhammed Ali was the greatest heavyweight fighter I ever saw. And I saw most of his fights over the years. For my money, though, the best pure fighter, regardless of weight class, was Sugar Ray Robinson. As for people hating Ali, most of that came about because of his highly publicized refusal to enter the Army as a concientious objector. Muhammed Ali would have defeated Rocky if he were real because he was a ring genius and had amazing speed and ability for a heavyweight.

Answer 8

Muhammad Ali was the greatest ever Heavyweight champion of all times this, however would not have been if when fighting Henry Cooper, his corner man had not of split his glove, to give him a breather after being knocked down in the fourth round.

Answer 9

Oh Ali was the greatest no question and not just for his amazing boxing skills. Its questionable whether the sport would be what it is today if not for Ali... He's 65 today, happy birthday Ali.

Answer 10

As far as charisma and generating interest went he was, and still is unrivalled.

As far as boxing went he was great but not the greatest. Most genuine boxing fans consider Sugar Ray Robinson to be the greatest of all time.

Ali was hated for refusing to join the army to fight in Vietnam and was jailed for 3 years as a result of this.