An Ali basically happens every 30 years or so. They might not be a heavyweight however, and they might not have a good work ethic!
Some good shouts on this. To add a UK fighter many would say in the elusive fighting style bracket,Herol Graham would be many peoples call who gave opponents nightmares.Sure many of you know him there was a WW that at times was just as slippery. On his night Kirkland Laing was unique inside and outside the ring,hands down by his side and all about counters and reactions nicknamed 'The Gifted One' it was justified.Don King never spoke to Mickey Duff for a long time after he talked him into matching Laing as an easy tune up for Duran.It was Laing's finest night and he out boxed and totally frustrated Duran. Kirkland then went missing for a year,he was an habitual dope smoker and drank heavily and blew a title shot because of it,so typical of Laing an enigma to himself as much as anyone. He later said he only ever trained properly and stayed clean once that was for the Duran match reason being....'It was the only time I was scared going into a ring man!'
Holmes and some of the lesser 80s heavies are too similar to Ali for Ali to be in the running for "most unique," imo.
Maxie Rosenbloom. 207-39-26 19 ko wins, 2 losses by ko. Grossly underrated for his longevity in the fight game.
Roberto Duran was the greatest lightweight champion in boxing history....................his fights with Esteban de Jesus were legendary. Duran looked like the devil himself. I watched Duran work the speed bag with his head! Never have I ever seen a boxer do that, ever watch him jump rope?! Duran had head movement that was unbelievable..................Ray Arcel and Freddie Brown really turned him into a top word champion, feared by all..............
I'll throw Jorge Paez into the mix. Odd duck in so many ways. Eusebio Pedroza probably also merits a mention.
Bingo... The height and reach are one thing but then he had the speed and power to go with it. For a guy that tall and lanky he had exceptional coordination. Never seen anyone like Hearns.