1.Does he have the best resume of any fighter at any weight in the past 50 years? (1958-2008) 2.If he had not lost three and a half years of his career from March 1967 to October 1970, would he now be generally accepted as the pound-for-pound greatest fighter of all-time? (consider his form right before the break in his career began, the performances against Williams, Terrell and Folley)
1. For me SRL's resume is the best in the past 50 years. He beat 4 legit ATGs (Benitez, Hearns, Duran and Hagler; two of whom have excellent claim to being the best ever at their weight classes [Duran at 135 and Hagler at 160]) and fought very stiff competition overall. This is not a knock on Ali's resume at all, as I consider him to be top 3 resume-wise past 50 yrs, just an opinion. 2. W/out a doubt
1) I think so. Liston and Foreman were considered pretty much unbeatable. Frazier was a very good/great champ, Norton, Shavers,.... 2) I allready have him #1. Hard to say about the 3 1/2 years. Could have been unbeatable or could have got complacent and beaten. The fact he accomplished so much after the 3 1/2 years, altering his style, all the wars, chin, toughness enhances his greatness IMO.
Possibly to both. I think he has guys like Leonard for company as far as real quality (A level guys) of resume but obviously Ali had far more fights vs good fighters (B/B+ level) than Leonard did so very probably. I have a feeling that even if Ali had retired undefeated he would probably have to break either Marciano`s 49-0 or Louis`s 25 defences or maybe both for the majority to side with him over Robinson. I think its close but clear in SRRs favour myself just as it is already but those 2 are the best either way IMO. :thumbsup