Muhammed Ali dies age 74

[Shinsou Vaan Osiris]

One of the greatest sportsmen of all time, regardless of whether or not you like the sport. It's been a bad year for celebrity deaths :(

Truly the greatest of all time.

[Storm Veritas]

I'm not sure if he was the greatest of all time, because it's impossible to compare him to other fighters, even the greats of his era (Frazier, Foreman, Norton, etc.). Ali was so silky smooth and fast that it allowed him to have a style that no heavyweight before or since could pull off. As a showman, he was completely untouched.

We've watched his declining health due to Parkinson's for years, so this isn't a shock, but it is very sad. He was an active spokesman in the civil rights movement, including his conversion to Islam (hated by many), or refusal to fight in Vietnam (equally loathed). He didn't do what was popular or would get him the most endorsement cash; he did what he felt was right. Although I disagree with a lot of his choices, you have to respect his principle.

[Shinsou Vaan Osiris]

I'm not sure if he was the greatest of all time, because it's impossible to compare him to other fighters, even the greats of his era (Frazier, Foreman, Norton, etc.). Ali was so silky smooth and fast that it allowed him to have a style that no heavyweight before or since could pull off. As a showman, he was completely untouched.

We've watched his declining health due to Parkinson's for years, so this isn't a shock, but it is very sad. He was an active spokesman in the civil rights movement, including his conversion to Islam (hated by many), or refusal to fight in Vietnam (equally loathed). He didn't do what was popular or would get him the most endorsement cash; he did what he felt was right. Although I disagree with a lot of his choices, you have to respect his principle.

There will be arguments for and against but what made him truly great, for me, was that the kinds of things people are saying about him now were still said about him whilst he was alive. Within the boxing world, he revolutionised the way people approached fights. He was never the strongest puncher or even the quickest fighter but he had vision and intelligence. The rope-a-dope was unprecedented. The way he dealt with Forman, Liston et al was simply incredible. Outside of the boxing world, many people respected his decision to avoid Vietnam. I'm sure that will devide opinion across the board, but for me, personally, I respect the man for standing up for what he believed in.

I couldn't believe he had Parkinson's for 32 years. That's an incredible time for a man to suffer a debilitating illness.

For me, the only fighter that gets anywhere near him in the history books is the great Rocky Marciano.

[Storm Veritas]

There will be arguments for and against but what made him truly great, for me, was that the kinds of things people are saying about him now were still said about him whilst he was alive. Within the boxing world, he revolutionised the way people approached fights. He was never the strongest puncher or even the quickest fighter but he had vision and intelligence. The rope-a-dope was unprecedented. The way he dealt with Forman, Liston et al was simply incredible. Outside of the boxing world, many people respected his decision to avoid Vietnam. I'm sure that will devide opinion across the board, but for me, personally, I respect the man for standing up for what he believed in.

I couldn't believe he had Parkinson's for 32 years. That's an incredible time for a man to suffer a debilitating illness.

For me, the only fighter that gets anywhere near him in the history books is the great Rocky Marciano.

I disagree with a few things here.

First, he ABSOLUTELY was the quickest fighter in his weight class of his generation. Watching his early fights, all the way up until his suspension. He fought with his hands at his hips, which was completely unprecedented. He even stuck his chin out and dared opponents to hit him, knowing he was too fast for any of his opponents to catch. Early Ali was -ELECTRIC- because of his speed; he had to change his style later in his career.

As for other fighters that get near him, there are a few others. Joe Louis and Jack Johnson are heavyweights that may warrant similar mention. In other weight classes, there are quite a few (Sugar Ray Robinson, Mayweather, etc.) with similar brilliance to Marciano. No one had the impact in and out of sports of Ali.

[redford]

regardless of if he was or was not the greatest, the man was an incredible inspiration to an entire generation of people, both fighters and not.

[Shinsou Vaan Osiris]

I disagree with a few things here.

First, he ABSOLUTELY was the quickest fighter in his weight class of his generation. Watching his early fights, all the way up until his suspension. He fought with his hands at his hips, which was completely unprecedented. He even stuck his chin out and dared opponents to hit him, knowing he was too fast for any of his opponents to catch. Early Ali was -ELECTRIC- because of his speed; he had to change his style later in his career.

As for other fighters that get near him, there are a few others. Joe Louis and Jack Johnson are heavyweights that may warrant similar mention. In other weight classes, there are quite a few (Sugar Ray Robinson, Mayweather, etc.) with similar brilliance to Marciano. No one had the impact in and out of sports of Ali.

Some great names there and for some reason I omitted Joe Frazier who was also another great. Agree, on reflection, about Ali's speed. Just watched a documentary on him and his fight against Liston shows incredible speed, much faster than I gave him credit for earlier. Sugar Ray was incredible and Mayweather's record speaks for himself. Pacquio, before his knockout too.

We have a fantastic up and coming heavyweight in Anthony Joshua. Watch out for this lad - he's going to be brilliant.

I suppose that no one entertained like Ali, like you say. For me though still the greatest ever.

[Rayleigh]

regardless of if he was or was not the greatest, the man was an incredible inspiration to an entire generation of people, both fighters and not.

Absolutely. And I'm sorry to hear of his passing.

[Ayithe Solete]

:(