Was ALI the best boxer ever?

I'd say he might just be top 10 ever, but not the best

 

In reality though Jones and Whitaker didn't haver to face as many greats as Duran well after he moved past his best weight class. Leonard, Hearns, Benitez and Hagler were an uncommon quality. Those guys were once in a generation talents themselves along with Duran. In other words the bar was a bit lower for Jones and Sweet Pea, quite a bit lower.

 

"I do not seek answers, but rather to understand the question." – Kwai Chang Caine

 

Duran and RJJ would both be in my top 10. Whitaker not so though

 

That's too bad BC even if you understood the question you still need the answers.

 

The two greatest boxers of all time are Sam Langford and Harry Greb.

Just as Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali are the two clear standouts of the heavyweight division, they are the two clear standouts pound for pound.

You have two standouts in a given category, when you cant find a third man who obviously sits next to them!

 

Harry Greb fair enough, but on what basis can you say that about Sam Langford? Not even top 50 for me

 

He beat hall of famers from lightweight to heavyweight, starting as a teenager.

He complied a ridiculously deep resume.

He arguable beat the greatest lightweight of all time, as a teenager, and he went on to become one of the best heavyweight finishers of all time!

 

A great fighter, without a doubt, but one who only won about 70% of his fights, that alone for me makes it very very hard to put him anywhere even close to the top 2 p4p. As I say he'd probably just miss out on top 50 in my opinion

 

Bear in mind that he continued fighting for years, after he was clinically blind.

Anybody will end up with a 70% win ratio, if they fight on long enough.

Even somebody who only fights in their prime, will pick up losses if they take fights close enough together.

Look at Langford's record, look at the dates, and think what they actually mean.

 

Have done, it's just a difference in opinion, evidently, knowing when to stop is something that has to be considered too. If David Haye is to keep on fighting the way he now is, it won't make me think any more of him

 

David Haye can relax, drink Starbucks lattes for the rest of his life in a comfy home, with a strong brand he can leverage for the rest of his life.

Sam Langford was a mostly blind shoe shiner in retirement.

Quuuuuuuiiiitteeeeee the difference.

 

Wouldn't say Chavez was a "quite a bit lower" than anyone, but, yes, Duran faced exceptionally strong opp.

 

You'd have them that far ahead of Armstrong and Robinson?

 

I agree. What I meant was that his quality of opp was quite a bit lower. Chavez would probably be the 2nd greatest Latin fighter in history.