Can any heavy weight ever match up to the ali legend?

Holyfield was the next big thing really, tyson was the could have been.

lewis was big too, but in a quiet way.

after that, we are still waiting.

 

Holyfields the most complete heavy ive ever seen. A favourite of mine.

 

I would argue that Mike Tyson is as least as well known to the non sporting world wide general public as Wayne Gretzky or Michael Jordan. He doesn't come close to Ali if you are comparing popularity within and outside the sporting arena, having the same disarming charisma or reflecting a positive image on the sport but with his notoriety outside the ring as well as his exploits and achievements within boxing, you could say that he too has transcended outside the sport and onto the the public consciousness albeit not in a wholly positive way. More than 30 years after he first won the title and especially with Ali's passing, Tyson is probably the most recognised and most famous/infamous boxer in the world.

 

Hadn't thought of it that way, but yeah ... fame comes in many forms; Tyson has gone through several evolutions with his, starting as a phenomenon in terms of boxing, then celebrity (and the inevitable rise and fall that goes with it), then notoriety. Fame has odd trappings; the public loves to see the underdog rise and achieve, then loves to watch them stumble and fall from the pedestal they (the public) helped create (you can win, but not too much. Heroes need to be humbled - though Tyson is largely responsible for his own downfall). Now he's in the redemption phase of fame, and hopefully he's found peace with his life, for his sake and those around him. And yes, years after he's had any sort of fight, if you were to ask the average person on the street to name a boxer, Tyson would be the first to come to mind.

 

Although Holyfield and Lewis are great I don't think you can even bring them into the conversation with regards to transcending the sport The way Ali or even Tyson did. Those names are still up there now decades later but even great fighters like Lennox and Evander seem to get slowly forgotten only a decade after retirement, some young people mistake Holyfield for Tyson. Sad but guess that's the way time is unless you become so famous you stay in the forefront for hundreds of years, which is Ali, and probably Tyson in a more notorious way.

 

The thing with Tyson is his story is so memorable and tragic, self destructive. That story has it all and you can imagine films etc being made about it forever. I think now he has mellowed it helps his case as well, he is an appreciated figure almost, so in some cases he is allowed to be celebrated, rather than vilified, he is accepted now. Ali could almost be like a god like figure in a few hundred years, sounds a bit of a nut hugger thing to say but what he did is all on film, not like mythical figures in the past. Will Ali's faults be washed away with time, cause he wasn't perfect himself?

 

I seriously can't see any of the big men in years to come ever matching up to Muhammad's legend. The only one of his predecessors who came close was Joe Louis.

 

Ali was and perhaps still is the most well known individual who ever lived. Boxing fan or not he left a mark that will be tough to ever replicate. He was such a great FIGHTER and he was such a great fighter with incredible charisma. That combination is difficult to find in any boxer.

 

I remember being so disappointed when Will Smith was cast in 'Ali' years ago. I finally ended up watching it on tv years after its release and would not recommend it. In fairness, I would find it difficult to accept any actor as Ali because the man was so recognisable as well as so naturally charismatic.

 

I preferred 'The Greatest' which starred Muhammad as himself to Will Smith's 'Ali'

 

yeah I wasn't a fan of that film. Will Smith came across far too weak, he didn't show Ali's toughness and ability not to be intimidated. To me it was like a bad impersonation. It would take a pretty decent actor to pull it off but I think its possible, obvious choice but a young Denzel Washington could have at least captured Ali a lot better than Will Smith did, he has the charisma and presence. I don't mind Smith when he sticks to stuff in his range but the part was too big for him imo.

 

Exactly this. You are probably right about a young Denzel too, not only would he have Ali-esque handsomeness but also has the talent/range to convince.

 

The only problem was until recent years, the only choices to play famous black personalities/celebrities/sportsmen on the big screen usually came down to either Washington or Smith.