A question of Muhammad Ali's greatness?

Question

Had Ali never made his post exile comeback, he would have retired with a record of 28-0 with a 6 year reign (1964 until he officially retired in Febuary 1970) and 3 years as a fighting Champion (last defense in 1967 vs Zora Folley) with 9 title defenses. If that were how it went down, where would Ali fit into the ranks of the greatests?

Answer 1

Muhammad Ali was one of the greatest no doubt about it but you have to consider the fact that after he came back he did several things. One, he lost. After losing to Joe Frazier, he did what the great ones do, he came back and learned from it. Even in losing to small fighters like Frazier, average talent fighters like Ken Norton, slick boxers like Jimmy Young (most questionable decision in his career), and after he passed his prime, to younger fighters Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick, Ali showed heart. He remained political although nothing like he was in the 60s. In the 70s he was more of a showman and he became the most familiar face in the world. I do believe his talent peaked in the late 60s but he got smarter and better in the 70s which added to his legacy. Mike Tyson had an icnredible run from November 1986 to February 1990. But Tyson had a different obstacle. Himself. Ali was too disciplined to let that happen to him and instead rewrote the history of the heavyweight division. I dont think he fought the best competition. I think Evander Holyfield fought better fighters than he has and is probably the best heavyweight ever. Jerry Quarry, Bugner, Ellis, Norton, Spinks, were not first rate fighters. Joe Frazier was a black Rocky Marciano who would have gotten destroyed by a prime Mike Tyson. Lennox Lewis would have blown all those guys away (with the possible exception of George Foreman 1974 version). Had Ali never made his post exile comeback he would have a great 3 year run and retired as an undefeated champion and people would say well, he wasnt as good as Marciano because of his record. Its a good thing he came back. Without the 70s he wouldnt be the icon he remains today. He would have been a brief shining star and a product of the 60s and the civil rights movement. Instead he is remembered as one of the best heavyweights ever, and rightly so.

Answer 2

sorry pedritotod, holyfield fought better fighters? who, exactly?! ali had the toughest rogues gallery of any fighter, much less heavyeight fighter. had ali retired in 1970, he'd have been considered one of the all-time best, arguably the best, but ppl would still say louis, marciano, dempsey were better. once ali slowed down in the 70's and expanded his repertoire, even changing his style, he became a much more intriguing fighter. in the 60's he was difficult, if not vitually impossible to hit and he outclassed all of his opponents, bec he was so much faster than all of them - add to this the political backdrop and you see why he is an icon, but let's keep this to the sport of boxing. once age and slowed reflexes took over, after his exile, and a younger tougher crop of fighters emerged, the 70's defined and validated ali, more than the 60's ever could. it legitimized him and answered, once and for all, the question of whether he had heart and could take a punch. ali stands tallest among all the great fighters bec he defied the odds, repeatedly, and dominated two very tough and interesting periods, the 60's and 70's. so, to answer your question, the 60's made him great, the 70's made him the greatest!

Answer 3

Without the Forman fight, and later Spinks for the thrid heavyweight title, Ali would not have had the credentials to be considered the all time greatest heavyweight. What is accomplished in the ring is the primary historical factor experts use in determining a fighter's greatness. The unfortunate political turmoil of the era cost Ali three of his prime years, but he still managed to come all the way back.

The Zaire fight was the apex of Ali's career, George Forman was Ali's stepping stone to greatness along with a list of opponents that only Sugar Ray Robinson can rival talent wise. Nobody in the history of the heavyweight division fought the level of talent Ali did.

Limiting his career to post exile makes the "Greatest" just another talented heavyweight champion. The political turmoil provide as much a platform to build Ali's reputation as his opposition, and you need both factors to fully appreciate Ali. Without that, he is historically insignificant and just another heavyweight champ, nothing above that honor.

Answer 4

Lets get one thing straight from the off. Ali was more than just a legend, he was a boxing giant. However I have to admit that nostalgia plays a massive part in remembering past greats. people always try and compare sporting greats from different era's, it can't be done. For example if they boxed at the same period, how would Ali have stood up to Tyson in the mid 80's.

Answer 5

Of all his fights, it was the Foreman fight that secured his legend. Few thought that Ali could beat him. If Ali had retired before that, people would still be arguing that George would have beaten him.

Interesting note: Chuck Wepner fought both men and predicted Ali would knock out Foreman.

Answer 6

If you're looking purely at win vs. loss record, that's one thing. But you also might want to consider that Ali's "greatness" wasn't merely his record, but also what he was in that point in American history. He rose from an amateur boxer in Louisville, KY (my home town) where he was born Cassius Clay to an international "superstar" of his generation in a sport that was always tinged with "seedy" undertones. He did this as an African American in the midst of the Civil Rights movement too. I think there is more to ones level of greatness than just stats on a piece of paper.

Answer 7

He's still the most recognizable man on earth. over forty years after he burst onto the scene as a gold- medal winner at 1960 Rome Olympics, Muhammad Ali remains a magical figure known and loved throughout the world
"Dubbed "Athlete of the Century" by GQ magazine

Answer 8

I Ali had never made his post exile comeback we wouldnt be talking about him at all right now. Everything he did after his exile is what fed the legend of ALI.

Answer 9

Ali was actually better in the 70's. He was not quite as fast, but much bigger, stronger, and smarter. Ali in the 60's was lucky because there wasn't a lot of great fighters then, and even a couple of those bums tagged him pretty good.

Answer 10

Sir Alex Ferguson.