Muhammad Ali is the greatest athlete of all times

[MotorCityCobra]

As brilliant as Muhammad Ali was in the ring (greatest HW boxer of all times), his true greatness was outside it when he fought the United States government. His refusal to accept induction into the armed forces on religious grounds cost him millions and his heavyweight title, but in the end Ali came up victorious in the most significant battle of his life.

Speed, endurance, skills and innovative techniques in his sports, plus beautiful philosophical mind - just read his famous quotes, charms that en-captured audiences across the borders, ethnicities, colour, religion or race... Simply he was splendid, arguably the only one who commanded respect even from media, politicians, sports lovers, rather an inspiration for younger generations across two centuries.


- Fought the government bc he didn't want to fight an unholy war and kill innocents
- Loses his HW title and boxing license. Has his prime years as boxer taken away from him
- Paves the way for multi-million dollars paychecks for boxers who risk it all by stepping in the ring
- Comes back and upsets the odds by adjusting his fighting style, smashing GOAT fighters like Frazier, Foreman, Patterson, Shavers, Norton
- Travels to Iraq and frees 15 hostages, who were held by Saddam Hussain

Alis sporting achievements are UNMATCHED to this day:
- 1959 National golden gloves champion 1959
- 1960 Rome, Olympic gold medalist
- 1964-67 World Heavyweight Champion
- 1967-1970 Suspended in the prime of his career
- 1974-79 Comes back and becomes the World Heavyweight Champion


"You think the world was shocked when Nixon resigned?" Ali said. "Wait till I whup George Foreman's behind."

[mrdot]

Nice bruh

[ineedadrink]

Ali transcended his sport like no other athlete, either before or since. He certainly had his flaws, but he was a great man, both in and out if the ring.

And for those who will inevitably dismiss him as a coward for draft dodging, it was well known that he was going to be given the Joe Louis deal where he would have never seen combat. So yes, it was brave of him to risk imprisonment and his career when he could've gotten the soft treatment in the army.

[MotorCityCobra]

Ali transcended his sport like no other athlete, either before or since. He certainly had his flaws, but he was a great man, both in and out if the ring.

And for those who will inevitably dismiss him as a coward for draft dodging, it was well known that he was going to be given the Joe Louis deal where he would have never seen combat. So yes, it was brave of him to risk imprisonment and his career when he could've gotten the soft treatment in the army.

Could not have said it better. Ali is truly the Greatest athlete of all time

[IcePikachu]

Takamura>ali

[zackk14]

Age: 24

[Dysfunqtional]

greatest athelete? lol no

or are you talking about greatest person that was an athlete?


greatest athlete ever is Herschel Walker

[gibbypoo]

greatest athlete ever is Herschel Walker

lol no

Bo Jackson >

[celltechbrahz]

But who was Jake the Snake

[tsbalr120]

Silly OP.

[JDizleSwoleizle]

[DemFacts]

respect

[gtg]

[heynah]

I think if Ali was born in this day and age, he'd have made a hell of a WR.

[Entezio]

stfu mj was the best athlete **** you hipster ***s

[JazB]

Just another Cuck from Norway bowing to your muhammad overlords

[PeterPoopshute]

You shut your whore mouth OP, there's only one GOAT athlete and it's this guy

[MotorCityCobra]

Just another Cuck from Norway bowing to your muhammad overlords

You shut your whore mouth OP, there's only one GOAT athlete and it's this guy

I respect MJ but no way he was a better athlete than Ali in my opinion. In his profession and in his humanity, Muhammad Ali is:
Pure, honest, graceful, proud, humble, wise, playful and entertaining. During a moment in US history, few individuals managed to rise to the top of sports, popularity, social and spiritual commentary as did Ali. Willing to give up everything for his faith and beliefs during the Vietnam War.
On top of all of that, he changed boxing forever. Ask every boxer that trained with or fought him... He is the Greatest regardless of the sport. Come on, 15 rounds of heavyweight boxing(? )... There will never be another in or out of the ring and that's how it should be.

[jimbob007]

[BetaAsPhuck]

OP you will love this video, Joe Rogan talks about the genius of Muhammad Ali...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAzMlbl3Eqw

[NihilistBro]

People always romanticise and idolise the figures from history. And reverence for sportsmen is no different.

You can't possibly say that Ali is the greatest heavyweight, let alone greatest boxer, let alone greatest sportsman of all time.

It's an absolutely outrageous claim to make.

[DicedPineapples]

Says Ali is the greatest athlete of all time, uses his conscientious objection as evidence. Seems legit.

What the fuk do his ideological positions and court battles have to do with athleticism?

[BrightonBomber]

Ali definitely transcended his sport like no other athlete before him or since. An icon of the civil rights movement as well as arguably the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. He fought in a golden era of heavyweight boxing when boxing was a huge mainstream sport and came out the dominant champion during the 70's when technically past his prime. Ali was a global star and his face is recognised all over the world unlike many US sporting stars. Ali made a lot of money in the ring but he actually made far more after he finally retired through public speaking, how many athletes can say they were so famous and respected they made more money after they retired, not many I guess.

[jimbob007]

Think you will find it was Antonio Inoki who freed those hostages, also Inoki was the man who effectively ended Ali's career in their match.

[NihilistBro]

Ali definitely transcended his sport like no other athlete before him or since.

I strongly disagree.

Ask anyone today who the greatest sportsmen in history are, and the majority of people will say athletes such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer or Usain Bolt.

Ali is a fossil in sporting relevance to anyone under 50-60 years old.

Muhammad Ali was an iconic figure in previous decades, but his actual sporting relevance and influence decreases every year, whilst his mythical status in the pantheon of sporting greats increases.

[DicedPineapples]

Ali definitely transcended his sport like no other athlete before him or since. An icon of the civil rights movement as well as arguably the greatest heavyweight champion of all time. He fought in a golden era of heavyweight boxing when boxing was a huge mainstream sport and came out the dominant champion during the 70's when technically past his prime. Ali was a global star and his face is recognised all over the world unlike many US sporting stars. Ali made a lot of money in the ring but he actually made far more after he finally retired through public speaking, how many athletes can say they were so famous and respected they made more money after they retired, not many I guess.

How can someone be the "greatest athlete of all time" (as OP claims) if they are more successful at public speaking than at their chosen sport?

[JARV1S]

Ali beat every top boxer in what some regard as the 'golden' era of boxing. But he's regarded as one of the greatest athlete of all times because of his feats outside of the ring, fighting for his religious beliefs and fighting segregation at the time.

[MotorCityCobra]

I strongly disagree.

Ask anyone today who the greatest sportsmen in history are, and the majority of people will say athletes such as Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Roger Federer or Usain Bolt.

Ali is a fossil in sporting relevance to anyone under 50-60 years old.

Muhammad Ali was an iconic figure in previous decades, but his actual sporting relevance and influence decreases every year, whilst his mythical status in the pantheon of sporting greats increases.

How can someone be the "greatest athlete of all time" (as OP claims) if they are more successful at public speaking than at their chosen sport?

Not only was Ali an iconic figure who had a massive influence, but he is also the greatest HW boxer of all time. His speed, technique, awkward style & the ability to adapt are unmatched to this day in the sport of boxing, not to mention his legendary stamina and chin. Most boxing experts agree that Ali is the greatest HW boxer of all time, not only because he was as good as he was, but also because he defeated tons of hall of famers & legendary fighters (i.e Foreman, Frazier, Norton, Shavers etc etc).

[NihilistBro]

But he's regarded as one of the greatest athlete of all times because of his feats outside of the ring, fighting for his religious beliefs and fighting segregation at the time.

Well then, that's a poor definition of ''greatest athlete''.

BRB - Pele didn't have to fight for any social cause which occurred during his playing career.
BRB - Neither did Bradman.
BRB - Neither does Bolt.
BRB - Many other professional sportsmen throughout history have stood up for their beliefs, but are forgotten because they weren't as famous.

[NihilistBro]

Not only was Ali an iconic figure who had a massive influence, but he is also the greatest HW boxer of all time.

''Was'' being the operative word here.

Every year his relevance wanes as more and more people who remember him pass away.

Meanwhile, the likes of Ronaldo, Messi and Bolt are the sporting icons of billions of people in 2015. Ali's name has been consigned to history, and he is just not relevant anymore.