Ali struggled against patient fighters like Zora Foly and Ken Norton because they refused to chase him around the ring. So Ali would have really had it hard against Joe Louis because he was very patient. I know he looked slow but he could spring into action at any moment. His bombs would often land with precision as well. He reined supreme for many years and was a great champion.

Ali, was a great Boxer and champion. Take nothing away from the man? For out and out fear and agression though I go for Mike Tyson, when he 1st won the Heavyweight title. He was an animal and was hungry back then! You don't get the name ' baddest man on the Planet! ' for nothing and he destroyed everybody that was put in front of him! Louis, was good, but my money would be on Ali and a younger Tyson beating him!

Ali is a legend. everyone mentioned so far was great tho!!!

ALi is the best boxer all around for all time....float like a butterfly :)

Larsson. Tyson was a bully. If he couldn't have it all his own way he lost heart. Douglas wasn't afraid of Tyson and he beat him up bad. Same with Holyfield. I like Mike Tyson and I've watched all his videos but I think Louis was better.

I doubt Ali was the greatest. But I wouldn't like to bet against him. Just consider that Marciano was better than Frazier and Frazier was Ali's toughest opponent.

Tyson, had become big-headed and lost the hunger he had at the beginning of his career Red, by the time he fought James ' Buster ' Douglas in 1990. I watched that fight and Tyson had Douglas down for what the referee did a slow count for? Very strange! I counted twelve believe it or not Red? The Boxers I liked the most were - Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, Thomas ' the hitman ' Hearns, Roberto Duran and Ali. Those were my favourites, but Tyson, was a bully, but also a wrecking machine! Just like Clubber Lang, from Rocky III. Class to watch though Red!

Yeah I do like to watch Tyson kick some ***. No one did it better.

but he didn't float like a butterfly and sting like bee

All these fighters named where great, my favorite was Ali but Joe louis was champ for 10 yrs when they didn't stop fights and he beat Hitlers guy Schmidt at the height of WW2, Don't forget the lighter weights, Sugar Ray Robinson pound for pound..Rocky Marchino Never lost, so I guess different era's had different styles and they were all great. That being said my pick is ALI based on his victory's over Floyd Patterson,Joe Frazier, Sonny Liston,George Foreman, all champions in their own right.

Ali = 3 time World Champion (in a career where he took a long break)

I do like what you are saying though Jack - that all of them were very substantial talent

Ali stood for something. he was a hero

Sweetestgirl. Ali isn't this great man he is made out to be. Most people are just star-struck and forget that he was a black nationalist which is similar to what the nazis believed. The Nazis would've given Ali a standing ovation if they heard some of the things he said to Frazier.

I still like Ali though. But I also like to be fair. Here check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dUQNKb_1xlc

Jacktrades hahha! I guess you're referring to Max Schmelling. He wasn't "Hitler's guy". Max and Joe were good friends.

Sugar Ray Robinson will always be the greatest of them all. I think he won all his first 90 fights. Even when he lost he looked awesome.

Hungry for ear?

I don;t agree with Ali's more extremist views but he stood for something more than himself. He wouldn't let the sports establishment turn him into a cartoon, and he WAS 3 times world champ. He was the best hands down.

Oh and I don';t need a video redmist....I was there when Ali said whatever it is you have there...guaranteed

"The rumble in the Jungle"

"It will be a thrilla and a chilla
when I beat that big guerilla in Manilla"
Every takin' about Joe FrAZIEr everyone talkin'
about smoking Joe FrAZIEr...WEll Joe FrAzIEr is so
ugly the blind people look away..haha JF is so ugly the sweat runs down the back of is head..lol Ali was great but one thing that will never be disputed and
thats ali's wit. He is the Greatest trash talker of
all time.

yes red I'm a huge Brown Bomber fan,the friendship
with max come later. Joe Louis lost the first fight
'36 I believe,pryor to WW II And yes he was very much Hitlers 'boy' I believe he went through Joe the first time (non tilte fight)but the pride or Detroit just demolished Schmeling the second time after Joe came champ in '37..think he broke three ribs and broke his jaw. It was said it put Hitlers nose out of joint...lol
Then held the title for 12 years its a GREAT accomplishment to be a three
time CHAMP but its impossible to do when you hold the belt for 12 years.
66-3 with 52 KO and 25 title defences. IN '42 he signed up for the army
and twice donated his purse to the cause.
He died in '81 but a remember him like yesterday's in Detroit red wings
Joe Louis area one night...could have been an all star game, so that
was probably 80-81 ..he only lost the other two fight comming back
after retirement. Almost 100 KO between semi pro and pro.
I think the Brown Bomber was the best.

Hey Jack hows things

Your right red about the German fighter's name I drew a blank because I took a few pain pills after dental surgery. However Ali's personal life and really all athletes personal lives have no bearing on their performances. People are human beings and all have different views on things. Sports are full of people who are racists, drug addicts, drunks, wife beaters,sex offenders,gamblers etc.Joe Louis and Max were indeed friends but before that he received all the special treatment that the nazi's where given to show the world they where superior. It was more than a boxing match and the world was watching.I grew up in Detroit the birth place of Joe Louis, he was truly a great and humble man who had all his money taken away by the Goverment for income tax fraud. That being said my pick is still Ali because he had the toughest challenges. Great thread Red

I agree that Ali was the greatest, as that was some division of Heavyweights that were about in the 60's and 70's. I don't think they'll ever be a time that the Heavyweight division will ever have so much talent in it again? As the current crop couldn't lace any of the legends from back thens boots, never mind beat any of them! I always remember watching Ali v Larry Holmes, when I was very young and by this time Ali was bloated and out of shape. He lost to the fitter, younger Holmes, but he was a true champion in my eyes, as he talked the talk and could back it up also! Hagler v Leonard, in the 80's was one of the best fights that i've ever seen. Class!

sugar ray was pretty cool...what about hector macho camacho tho?

I don't pay much attention to the lightweights, Sweetestgirl. I just looked him up on youtube and saw that he was a southpaw and right away I lost interest. I'll tell you a lightweight that did catch my attention a while back and that was Marco Barrerra. He's the only lightweight that I enjoy watching. You can tell by his eyes that he wants to really hurt someone. Hahahah! Yeah I liked him instantly.

Look up a Scottish boxer called Ken Buchanan, Red? He ended up going back to being a Joiner ( Carpenter, to Americans ) after he hung up his gloves and worked with us on the same building site, in Glasgow, a few years back. Couldn't believe an ex World champ, was working alongside me! My brother knows Ricky Burns, the current WBO Lightweight champ, very well, as he only stays a mile from my house. See him all the time, around town. Barrera, was a good Boxer, but I miss watching Oscar de la Hoya and Joe Calzaghe. The Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank, fights from the 90's were classics you should look up on Youtube, if you haven't saw them already?