In terms of greatness, he's one of the GOATs - latter part of Top 10. Greatest HW of all time, for sure.
Regardless what you think of his ability or how he would fare against modern heavyweight, Ali is the Man. He ducked no one, he fought his toughest challenges at the peak of their prowess. He fought all around the world. He is outspoken and one of the most recognised figure in the planet. Eventhough SRR is the greatest fighter, when you add up all things together Ali certainly has a case for that claim.
GOAT trash talker and outside the ring antics. Inside the ring he was nothing more than a very good slick Heavyweight.
He deserves the title. Fought everybody in their prime, fought all over the world, a real world champion. And enough of this "casual" nonsense
top 3 definitely. then it just comes down to style preferences. In my view his achievements were greater than SRR.
It's pretty clear Sugar Ray is the greatest ever, Ali even admitted as such. I personally think Ali hovers at around 5. SRR Pep Louis Armstrong Ali
For me, it isn't just his boxing skills, but his fight against the Vietnam War and his fight for the Civil Rights movement which puts him on an echelon above most normal sportsmen. I can quite literally watch his interviews all day long, he was funny, interesting, deep and sometimes philosophical. Okay, he wasn't always an angel, and occasionally he got it wrong, as anyone would when you talk that much in front of camera in difficult times, but if some one wants to call him not just the greatest boxer of all time, but the greatest sportsman of all time, well as a boxing fan I gotta say it feels me with a twinge of pride, and I certainly wont sit there and argue with them.
For me anyway...the greatest of recent times. His cv was incredible when you think about it bearing in mind he had a 3 year lay off inbetween. Liston. Frazier and foreman are up their with anything the divisions seen...maybe all even making the top 10. But it wasnt even his cv. Or even his talking or entertainment value. But his god given talent in a boxing ring. Hes actually scary to watch at times. It was the sheer effortlessness of it all. The only thing close that i ve seen since was roy jones junior. But roys opposition wasnt quite what ali,s was. But his effortlessness reminded me of ali at times. But with ali it was like he threw them punches on command...it was almost unnatural to watch cause it was so natural if that makes sense. Sugar ray robinson was the same tbf...but a bit before my time. From about alis time to now...for me the greatest of that time. Unbelievable god given talent. Sure i watched him dodging about 6 punches before. Just moved his head deftly making the opponent miss every single time. You cant train that.