How long before Ali recedes to being a #2 or #3 heavyweight, except for boxing hipsters?

Boxing skill level has regressed as a whole,especially at the heavyweight limit . though heavyweights have gotten bigger and physically stronger their skill level has regressed too the point of looking like just paid amateurs. Look at Wilder when he's tired . He punches in roundhouse fashion and with the inside of his fist. He literally punches like a girl! Joshua by the 5th rd is blowing like he just run a 400 meter sprint! Fury is beyond horrible, no technique, no balance, He's just a very big man who's awkwardness makes him successful. These fighters are successful only because their competition is so bad. The size kings look at the pretty physics of a Joshua or Wilder and think that makes them great. They ko a few no hoppers and their the greatest of all time. Heavyweight boxing will probably never reach the skill level, and fighting athleticism of the Ali era. Most athletic big men are finding their riches in other sports today, parents are not allowing the kids to box. The amateur programs today are terrible esp here in the states . The Ali era may one day be forgotten. But it doesn't mean the fighters are better. And any future sports fan only has to look at how balanced and effortless prime Ali looked for 15rds on film. And how wild Wilder looks, How labored Joshua gets, and Fury isn't worth the critique and I'm sure they would realize the skill level is miles apart in Ali's favor. And the irony is Ali on a pure technical standpoint point wasn't the best J.Louis was, probably followed by M.Tyson and Holyfield at the beginning of his heavy run. Ali is probably the most gifted Athlete. Boxing as a whole will never in my opnion at least never reach the level it had between the 1930' s through the early 90's Ali's legacy may recede, but it will only be because of the lack of knowledge of the watchers, not because the fighters got better.

 

Can we make this thread about Marciano?

That would be great.

 

I currently have Ali at #8. And he is by far the most ancient fighter in my TOP 20 heavyweight list.

 

I am sure I will regret asking this, but what criteria are you rating by???

 

Carriage.

 

Uneasy lies the Seamus that wears the crown.

 

Ali was very, very consistent against a tough set of opponents. I think there will always be a case for him being #1hw. On the other hand some say there should be asterisks next to some of his wins like Norton, for instance. So ... * shrug * boxing is kind of subjective I guess.

 

I think it takes less time than many think for opinions to change. The current era may be rated ahead of the 90s by many before long.

 

He may rate high in accomplishments but head to head his rating has fallen

 

There's always an arc to a fighter's legacy & rating post-retirement. It's only a matter of time before it moves on, even from Ali (cultural impact notwithstanding). Yesterday's GOAT is tomorrow's afterthought. It won't be that dramatic for Ali by any stretch, but other fighters fresher in people's minds will eventually get rated higher. Nobody thought it would happen with Sullivan, Jeffries, Johnson, Dempsey, etc., but as the sport marches on, they all got left behind to an extent. Nobody's really immune.

Ali's cultural impact may see him ride that out better than most, but while many may still buy in to him as the greatest, we'll see more and more fans pick against him in fantasy fights (an act that's been damn near blasphemy on here for years).

 

The current era is garbage (in HW at any rate) and it's going to take at least 3 years for things to improve imho. There's literally about 3-4 fighters that are worth anything and even some of those have question marks next to them.

 

Who he?