5 reasons Muhammad Ali is the greatest boxer of all time

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Sarah Foster, 21, looks at a signed 'Float like a butterfly sting like a bee' robe worn by Ali's cornerman Bundini Brown at the 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight - at the preview of the 'I Am The Greatest' Muhammad Ali exhibition on March 3, 2016 in London, England. The exhibition showcases the life and career of heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali and features over more than 100 artefacts including personal memorabilia, unseen footage and photographs. It is open to the public from Friday March 4, 2016 at the O2 in London. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Sarah Foster, 21, looks at a signed 'Float like a butterfly sting like a bee' robe worn by Ali's cornerman Bundini Brown at the 'Rumble in the Jungle' fight - at the preview of the 'I Am The Greatest' Muhammad Ali exhibition on March 3, 2016 in London, England. The exhibition showcases the life and career of heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali and features over more than 100 artefacts including personal memorabilia, unseen footage and photographs. It is open to the public from Friday March 4, 2016 at the O2 in London. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
Muhammad Ali
405681 01: Actor Michael J. Fox (R) and boxer Muhammad Ali pretend to spar before giving their testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services May 22, 2002 in Washington, DC. Fox and Ali both have Parkinson’s disease and would like Congress to put more money into finding a cure for the disease. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) /

Here are five reasons why Muhammad Ali is the greatest boxer to ever step inside the ring.

Boxing lost arguably its greatest ambassador and warrior when former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali passed away after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and other health concerns. Not only that, boxing also lost a man who many consider to be its greatest fighter.

Plenty of fighters have a strong argument to the title of greatest boxer ever. Rocky Marciano went undefeated and was certainly the greatest of his generation. George Foreman’s remarkable durability puts him in the conversation as well. Evander Holyfield had an impressive prime matched by few, if any. There wasn’t a sane person on this planet who wanted to step in the ring against Mike Tyson. His rage and dominance in the ring were rare.

Floyd Mayweather might have ducked stars at times, but no one can argue with his undefeated record. Jack Johnson was boxing’s first celebrity and almost singlehandedly put boxing on the map. Sugar Ray Leonard made boxing fun. No disrespect to any of those legends, but Ali declared himself to be the greatest, and he was absolutely right. Boxing will never see another Ali.

Next: 5. His dominance