It is a question that has interested and intrigued fans of the pugilistic art for well over a hundred years. Alongside the ‘dream match-up’ scenarios, the conversation of who is the ‘greatest’ has been played out a million times, in thousands of bars all across the world, with dozens of opinions put forward. Was it Ali? One of the ‘Sugar Rays’? Or maybe a more obscure candidate, such as Jimmy Wilde?
The fact of the matter is, there is no definitive answer, and there never can be, it is just a matter of personal opinion.
That said, here is the case for Muhammad Ali, AKA Cassius Clay.
There have been many opinions put forward over the last 50 odd years about the self-proclaimed ‘Greatest’. A great many writers have eulogized over his skills, attributes and perceived weaknesses. The vast majority have been full of praise, talking up his skill, speed and warrior spirit. Others point to more negative aspects. The charismatic and complex character that is Muhammad Ali will draw comment and opinion, both positive and negative, for generations to come. It is easy for some to write critically about his conversion to Islam and consequent refusal of the U.S military draft. However, when it comes to answering who was the greatest in boxing terms, it is important, especially in the case of Ali, to isolate the boxer from the man. Instead of judging the man, let us take a look at his achievements, low points and his boxing legacy.
When the fresh-faced Mr Clay cut such a stylish swathe through to the light-heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, who could have foretold the impact he would have on the heavyweight division over the next 21 years, and indeed the whole sporting world up until the present day?
Cassius Clay (as he was), built a decent unbeaten record of 20 wins following his triumph in Rome. He did have a few wobbles on the way to his title shot, most notably being dumped on his backside by Henry Cooper and a very dubious points decision against Doug Jones. But it was in 1964 that his greatness came to the fore.
Many forget the reputation that defending champion Sonny Liston brought into that bout. To say that Liston had an aura of menacing malevolence, coupled with an implacable desire and belief that he would destroy his opponent, is an understatement to say the least. Liston scared his opponents to death even before they entered the ring. That was until he came up against Clay.
Either Clay was having none of Liston’s scare tactics, or he was scared to the point of hysteria. His behaviour in the build up to the fight was very erratic. To this day no one knows what was going through his head at the time, except for Ali of course. Certain to say, looking back at the footage of the build up to the fight, Liston had never seen anything like Clay, nor had the rest of the world. Liston did not know how to react to him, nor did the rest of the world.
After six rounds, and a whole load of controversy, the world had a new Heavyweight champion. Albeit under a new name.
For the next three years and three months, Muhammad Ali reigned supreme as champion. He made nine successful defences during this period, most notably against the highly rated Cleveland Williams, who was despatched inside three rounds, and a so-called unification bout against the WBA pretender to the throne, Ernie Terrell.
Along came Vietnam and the draft. Ali was stripped of the title, and was inactive until 1970 when he made his comeback against Jerry Quarry, followed by an ill-tempered affair against Oscar Bonavena.
Then came his first defeat against Smokin’ Joe Frazier, in a gripping and hotly contested encounter for Frazier’s title. Frazier’s points victory was well deserved, especially after the bad-mouthing the highly respected and thoroughly decent champion had received at the hands of Ali in the build up to the fight.
Now no longer undefeated, Ali was on unfamiliar territory. Yet he responded well, re-building his career with a string of victories, including a re-match with Frazier, in various locations around the world. His one set-back during this period was a defeat to the dangerous Ken Norton (in which Ali suffered a broken jaw). This defeat was quickly avenged in a re-match and again in a rubbermatch a few years later.
The scene was set for Ali’s next tilt at the title.
Just as was the case ten years earlier, Ali was a huge underdog going into his fight with the defending champion. Some readers may only remember George Foreman as the bald, ageing, overweight fighter who plodded his way to a version of the heavyweight title in the 1990s. The affable and somewhat comical forty-something Foreman was a far cry from the fearsome, youthful champion that terrorised the heavyweight division in the early 1970s.
When Foreman took the title from Frazier, he absolutely destroyed him. Knocking him down six times within two rounds (once actually lifting Frazier off his feet with an uppercut); like Liston before him, Foreman was a terrifying foe. He cultivated his persona of a brooding, destructive warrior to the max. To Ali it was an old story with a different villain in front of him.
Going into the fight, nobody gave the ex-champion any chance at all. So much so that some respected sports journalists were expressing serious concerns that Ali might actually lose his life against Foreman.
On that hot and humid night in Kinshasa, Ali beat Foreman and beat him in style, knocking out the defending champion in the eighth round. Not only that, Ali humiliated him with his unorthodox tactics. October 30th 1974 will be remembered as a night of right hand leads and rope-a-dope. It is one of the most compelling and dramatic fights of all time. If you have not seen it, I urge you to do so.
Ten successful defences followed, including his rubber matches with Norton and Frazier. Like so many champions before him (and since), Ali went on too long. He lost his title in February 1978 to the inexperienced Olympic champion Leon Spinks, in a lacklustre display from the jaded great man, who was obviously past his prime.
Seven months later, Ali regained the title in an inspired display of counter-punching against the younger, stronger defending champion.
Alas, it was his last hurrah. Only two more fights followed, neither of which could it be said that the ‘real’ Ali turned up. An eleventh round stoppage to Larry Holmes in 1980 and a 15-round points loss to Trevor Berbick in 1981 brought down the curtain on the most entertaining period in boxing history.
Ali was a great champion, of this there is no doubt. In his prime he was the most recognisable face in the world and a truly marvellous ambassador for the sport. He did at times display a darker side to his character, especially in his earlier days when taunting and deriding opponents rather than finishing them off. He did however inspire thousands of boys across the globe to pull on a pair of gloves and climb into the ring, just to see if they could emulate their hero. For a hero he was to millions, and always will be.
Thus the case for Muhammed Ali is submitted for your consideration.
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