Why is it assumed that Ali is much better than Foreman

Ali had way more title defenses, won more championships, they both had gold medals. Ali beat more contenders and basically cleaned out the division twice. Legacy wise, Ali clearly has the advantage.

H2H, I rate them both high, but I have Ali ahead because he faced a wider variety of styles. Foreman always struggled with movers/defensive guys and flat out refused to face Tucker or Lewis (to be fair, he was very old and slow in the 90's but it shows that even he knew his limitations). Ali beat boxers, in fighters, brawlers, counter punchers, movers, etc. That's usually why Ali is rated higher.

 

Ali beat just about every relevant fighter of the 1960s and '70s, with very few exceptions.
Foreman has a lot less depth in his record, even though his career spanned 28 years (18 active)

 

All about resume. Ali is a bad example to compare any heavyweight to because he just fought and beat everyone of note in a 18 year period. Literally he didn’t miss anyone. We can all say Foreman missed plenty of people just as Tyson did Marciano did and Lewis did. That’s why Ali’s a rare animal. Only Louis comes close. Foreman was great though

 

Ali beat Foreman once in a perfect storm. Had Foreman gotten the opportunity, he would have won the rematch.

 

One fight fraught with circumstances and subsequent downturn of Foreman's career and quality of performance.

Do remember that '66 Ali is the version most commonly used when comparing him to other heavyweights though. '74 Ali beat Foreman in an almost movie like conflux of dedication, circumstances, will, and sheer luck, and avoided him like a plague afterwards, but that was in no shape or form a peak Ali. Not even by his post-exile career standards.

A short answer would be: Ali fought many more bouts through his better years. Foreman has a short peak on the top when he could really show his dominance, a short period of good, but flawed performances under Gil Clancy, and his Old Man George arc which is another version of the fighter altogether.

 

Foreman’s resume is overrated. Can crusher most of career. Ali’s resume is gold

 

Ali also has Liston, And a win over Foreman himself. Not to mention all the other top fighters of the era, guys like Folley, Shavers, Quarry, Williams, Foreman’s record is padded. Especially in his comeback. Yes he has 2 great wins and is a hall of fame fighter. However it’s not Ali’s resume

 

Agreed. Good post

 

Can't buy it, Ali simply had George's number as style's make fights. He can't knock Ali out which means he can't beat him . Watch the fight, in a real sense Foreman had nothing for Ali and in a rematch if George paces him self better the outcome isn't changing it just occurs later maybe in the 13th or 14th round when George spirals to the canvas again.

 

Yeah, looking at the Lyle and Young fights, I can see why. And that was in his physical prime, Ali was way past his when he faced those guys.

Sure, overall Foreman was more dominant over common opposition, but it wasn't always the case.

Just wanted to point that out, otherwise it's just that Ali's record is that superior to Foreman's.

 

Even assuming you are correct, the Ali who defeated Foreman was nowhere near in skill-level to the Ali before his three-year banishment. That Ali would have handled Foreman just like he handled Terrell, Williams, and Folley.