Is Ali still the best ever?

The argument for Ali over Louis is based on the assumption that his opposition was better.

I happen to agree with that assumption, but it is still an assumption.

Let’s say that we matched their respective opponents and Max Baer defeated Joe Frazier, or Joe Walcott defeated George Foreman.

In that scenario the case for Ali would start to crumble.

 

I agree. As you said earlier, they're really interchangeable at the two top spots. It's down to personal taste as much as anything. But there's a substantial drop to nr 3. Of that I feel certain.

Is there any other of the traditional eight divisions where you can say this?

 

For certain periods in history perhaps.

Up to the 30s, the welterweight debate was pretty firmly on Ryan and Walcott.

The fact that it is still down to two fighters in 2016, is frankly ridiculous!

 

And it's going to stay that way yet for a while. Both have 30+ wins over ranked opponents at the time and 20+ wins in fights for the lineal and undisputed title. Wlad and Holmes are probably the ones nearest to that, and neither is even close on the whole.

 

Agreed.

Jack Johnson might have been close on the ranked opponents, if rankings had existed, but he would still have fallen short.

 

Like I said in an earlier post, the Klitschkos or Lewis would be really though for Louis or Ali. Tyson would be tough for Louis I think. Holyfield would be a tough match for Ali. Deciding who's the greatest heavyweight is impossible. It's tough to view these fighters in a vacuum. People who are most familiar with Tyson will argue he's number one. I know plenty that would say that. Honestly, if you get on YouTube & watch highlights, does any fighter make a better video than Tyson?

They're all great! A lot of it comes down to preference. I like guys like Ali & Holmes so they're my top 2. Louis is my 3 but nobody gets dominated in a match between these guys. Close all the way.

 

easy, there, old timer. you don't know anything about me.

ali the draft dodger had plenty of boxing skills. so did chuvalo and, say, foreman, too.

 

Ali would murder either Klitchco. Speed reflexes boxing ability jab combinations would cut them to ribbons.

 

the thing with Ali is most of the questions you have for a great fighter were answered, he is proven. compare that to other great fighters that fought in weaker eras, not their fault but there are questions that can never be answered. Ali showed he had every quality needed to be the best ever. I cant think of many that come close in that sense. Ali was one of those sportsmen that did the impossible, who was the last boxer of recent times to stun people in that way?

 

Ali's spectacular prime, along with his career spanning all star resume makes him the best ever in my eyes.

 

I don't think Lewis would stand much of a chance against a prime Ali.
I'd give Tyson a better chance, and Tyson's chances would be very slim indeed.
Holyfield would have a better chance still, but realistically would only give Ali a good fight, and would lose clear enough.

(Barring the possibilty of currently active heavyweights who might turn out to be great...), Holmes is the only boxer since Ali who would stand a realistic chance of beating him.
But then Holmes credits much of his skill and ability to what he learned during his sparring with Ali !

 

Lol i could not say it better

 

But not top 10? but dempsey yes right.? Uh

 

If that is an attempt at humour, I've read funnier jokes about cancer.:roll:

We all know p4p was created to decide who would be best if all the guys being discussed were the same size.