Ali or Louis ?

Depends in what your criteria is...stylewise I give the edge to Clay by a wide margin...
Legacywise I think an argument can me made for Louis.
Also, Louis was never a draft dodger. That's got to count for something

 

Joe Louis.

 

What does this have to do with anything?

Holmes never robbed banks....Lewis never assaulted little children...Marciano never embezzled money....this has to count for something

 

I like Louis better, but Ali was greater.

 

Neither was Ali

 

Very poor analogy...Clay actually WAS a draft dodger.

 

Actually, he didn't "dodge" anything. Think what you will about his decision to refuse induction. It would have been easier for him to go into the army and tour bases giving exhibitions but instead he endangered his whole career and risked jail time by standing in front of them and saying, "Nope, I'm not doing it. Do what you will, I'll take whatever you want to dish out, but I'm not doing it."

That takes more guts than going into the army, quite frankly. OR going to Canada, which is what an actual "draft dodger" does. At least get your terms right.

Do I agree with him on his stance? That's an entirely different question, but I do respect that he had the sack to stand up for his own beliefs.

 

Again that has nothing to do with anything? Personally you can like him or dislike him. I dislike him....

But his political, racial, personal predilections have nothing to do in rating them...to say it’s close but since Louis wasn’t a draft dodger (not saying he was or was not), so it’s Louis makes no sense.

Louis makes a credible case and dodging or not dodging the draft means less than nothing in this context

Edit: not sure why you need to refer to him as clay, but to each their own

 

To me we are splitting hairs when looking at Ali and Louis. I weigh longevity heavily and that is what separates them (by a hair) for me. Close enough to go either way and there likely is no definitive correct answer.

To me there is a gap between them and the 3-10 guys, but these 2 are the tip of the iceberg for me, with Louis edging it.

 

You apparently didn't read my post...I never said Louis > Clay because Clay was a draft dodger..

In fact I made an argument in favor of EACH fighter, and simply closed my post with a statement in passing that Louis's service to his country should count for something

 

Why do you call him "Clay"?

 

One simple question: what should it count for in rating their boxing careers?

 

His name is Clay. He changed his name when he converted to islam...
From my observation, the vast majority of celebrities who convert to Islam and make public statements about changing their names are doing so for their own publicity ....
I also recognize the 3 major religions are responsible for more violence and suffering throughout the world than anything else in the history of the world..
To hide behind your religion to avoid the Vietnam war is shameful, especially when waging jihad is a fundamental staple of your particular religion

 

Fair enough, it has nothing to with ring accomplishments...but neither does any political or civil rights stances either, yet we are expected to kiss Clay's ass over and over for these contributions when they have nothing to do with boxing...
I think too many people factor that in when ranking clay.

Louis had a much longer and uninterrupted title rain, and would never even take a fight against a 7-0-1 fighter like Leon Spinks, let alone lose to him...

For these reasons I pick Louis > Clay

The draft dodging thing is just my personal opinion of the man