Who do you consider the best heavyweight of all-time?

His actions didn't hurt nobody, but you're acting like he is a terrorist. What correlation are you making?

 

Oh It's On!!!!

 

That's a very simplistic way of looking at it. It's either black or white, no gray area. It's not always heroic, of course not. There are variables that come in to play. What you believe, how you stand up for the your rights are two of the obviously factors.

Killing innocent people because you disagree with a foreign government's policy is not righteous. Thus, terrorist attacks are not righteous because you are immediately infringing upon the rights of innocent people.

If you can't even understand how to differeniate actions, I'm not going to continue having this debate because it's a waste of time.

 

One pretty illuminating way of comparing their careers is to divide them into before and after their respective lay-off.

Louis beat more opponents during the first part of his career than Ali did. But he had a loss to Schmeling and tough fights against Godoy and Conn. Ali's only real difficult fight was against Jones when he was still very young. Cooper gave him a big scare as well, but except for that left hook Ali clearly dominated that fight.

His first win against Liston, who was considered invincible, also beats any of Louis's wins. Furthermore, Ali took on just about all the best fighters of that era (maybe with the exception of Machen) while Louis didn't fight some of the best black fighters of the day. Therefore, I give the first part of Ali's career a slight edge over the first part of Louis's, even if I can understand if you would have them even.

When it comes to the second parts of their respective careers, there's really no contest is there?

 

Ali was undefeated before the exile. Frazier woulda fought a peak Ali in 69 or 70 if not for the exile. I only see one winner. Joe fought an Ali who was starting all over again and who had only 2 fights in 4 years (Joe had 12 fights in the time Ali was out of boxing). If that's not a massive advantage for Joe then i don't know what the hell is LOL

 

LARRY HOLMES SHOULD BE AN OPTION IN YOUR POLL

he was a better all rounder than both louis and ali. ali was rather technically flawed and Louis never had the best of chins

Holmes was champ for a long time and had a long road to the top. did ali or louis ever fight and beat killers like williams and shavers with very little time to prepare?

Compared to Holmes, ALi and Louis were PAMPERED

He was a dangerous force on the world scene in his 40's (look at the holyfield fight and Mercer win). Ray was a really good fighter

My Top 10 (Based more on achievement)

Ali
Holmes
Louis
Foreman
Marciano
Frazier
Johnson
Tyson
Holyfield
Lewis

 

I love Holmes and think he is one of the most underrated Heavyweights, but no way can you put Holmes above Louis in regard to accomplishments. H2H maybe. But for me Ali is a clear number 1 with Louis being a clear number 2.

 

Now, I think it would've been more respectful to at least list the names of the other potential candidates.

 

A way past his prime Ali beat Ernie Shavers. Not helping your case too much.

 

i rate ali as the best heavy of all time. i was just making a point about holmes having a very strong claim for mantle

Holmes beat a better fighter than shavers in ray mercer at aged 43

 

Louis was fighting former lineal champions from nine months after his pro debut.

That is not exactly pampering.