I agree. He followed the legal process. I don't even recall seeing Ali burning his draft card. They must have saved that one for PPV.
I forgot who it was, probably someone from ESPN, who said Louis was the greatest heavyweight champion of all time and that Ali was the greatest heavyweight of all time. Interesting little quote there, but I don't quite agree. Depends on the day and the amount of good coffee for me but the last few years I've been placing Louis #1. To be champion for so many years and with an incredible amount of title defenses is extraordinary, especially at the heavyweight level where weight goes unlimited. Louis fought so many different styles and was so dominant doing so. And his dominance in rematches was incredible. Ali has the bigger names like Liston, Frazier and Foreman. Damn, this is actually getting more difficult to explain why I pick Louis by the slightest of margins.
Just a simple comment. The U. S. Supreme Court, which is the last and most important word on legal matters in the United States, ruled that Clay and/or Ali, whichever we choose to call him, was not a draft dodger. That should be the end of the discussion about draft dodging.
Louis has a great resume. Primo Carnera Max Baer Jack Sharkey James J Braddock Tommy Farr Max Schmeling John Henry Lewis Abe Simon Buddy Baer Billy Conn Jersey Joe Walcott And then Paulino Uzcudun Bob Pastor Tony Galento Lou Nova Lee Salvold Jimmy Bivins etc.
Me too, though I think Louis would have kayo'd him in the middle rounds and Ali unanimously outpointed. That said, I think the Holmes who beat Ali would have beaten any of the other men on the top 10 besides those two. So, a snug #3. Ali won the title three times (granted, he wasn't the same after TiM), was the fastest ever in the 60s, and had a huge heart. I put Louis second because I think Ali would have worn him down and possibly tko'd him in the later rounds. They both had huge hearts and terrific skill at their peaks (I'd put Ali's prime beginning at Liston I, Louis' when he beat Max Schmeling).
I judge a fighter by his abilities in the ring,not his actions outside it. Tyson was an arsehole both inside and outside the ring, but H2H he beats more champs than beat him.
Ali's top end pips it for me but i have no ill faith with anyone picking Louis. Lennox Lewis a distant third.