I
isadore
Posts: 7,762
Jun 4, 2016 8:27am
Ali, who had a long battle with Parkinson's disease, was taken to a Phoenix area hospital earlier this week where he was being treated for a respiratory issue. He was 74.
was he the greatest?
was he the greatest?
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Jun 4, 2016 5:23pm
Sad but it was probably time. Really took a beating and his last 25 years were simply not him.
RIP
RIP
V
vball10set
Posts: 24,795
Jun 5, 2016 7:50am
the older one gets (especially while battling an affliction), the more revered they get--he was a polarizing figure who was more of a figurehead and a symbol during the last 30+ years...the "greatest"?!? nah.... Rocky Marciano, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Larry Holmes, etc......
Laley23
Posts: 29,506
Jun 5, 2016 9:52am
Ali was the greatest because he was more than a boxer. He wasn't the best in the ring, but he was just a huge figure in the world of sports and world in general. I don't think he was the best boxer ever, but I have no problem with people calling him the greatest because I look at it as more of a life title than athletic title.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 5, 2016 10:56am
I'd agree with that. As a fighter, he was known for being in some of the greatest fights of all time; but with his larger-than-life personality and how he transcended sports, I have no issue with the title.Laley23;1797785 wrote:Ali was the greatest because he was more than a boxer. He wasn't the best in the ring, but he was just a huge figure in the world of sports and world in general. I don't think he was the best boxer ever, but I have no problem with people calling him the greatest because I look at it as more of a life title than athletic title.
I
isadore
Posts: 7,762
Jun 5, 2016 8:17pm
“‘Course I’m respectable. I’m old. Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough.” from Chinatown. We have seen 30 years of the respectable Ali. I don't thing most people today realize what a lightning rod he was for controversy in very turbulent times.
Spock
Posts: 2,853
Jun 5, 2016 10:43pm
who?
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vball10set
Posts: 24,795
Jun 6, 2016 7:42am
When he's referred to as "The Greatest", it's because of his boxing prowess. Period. Those not old enough to have been around during his boxing career base this "great guy" coronation on movies and stories, but as I said earlier, time softens rough edges. Ali was an excellent boxer, but a militant and an activist during this time as well. He was an ambassador during the last 30+ years, but this was a testament to his family and handlers as much as it was him. RIP, Mr. Clay, you truly were one of a kind.
T
thavoice
Posts: 14,376
Jun 6, 2016 12:11pm
Wasn't one his famous quotes about if he told the world enough he was the greatest ever than everyone would eventually believe it? (or something along those lines...)Laley23;1797785 wrote:Ali was the greatest because he was more than a boxer. He wasn't the best in the ring, but he was just a huge figure in the world of sports and world in general. I don't think he was the best boxer ever, but I have no problem with people calling him the greatest because I look at it as more of a life title than athletic title.
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Jun 10, 2016 3:00pm
This funeral is quite the spectacle. Incredibly impressive.
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Jun 10, 2016 3:28pm
Jesse Lewis....yikes
Jesse Owens sir...
Jesse Owens sir...
salto
Posts: 2,611
Jun 11, 2016 2:39pm
Some draft dodger who used to be known as Mr. Clay.Spock;1797917 wrote:who?
salto
Posts: 2,611
Jun 11, 2016 2:40pm
Tyson in his prime would have destroyed Ali.
Ironman92
Posts: 49,363
Jun 11, 2016 2:50pm
Yeah but Ali would've been about 47 years oldsalto;1798822 wrote:Tyson in his prime would have destroyed Ali.
Heretic
Posts: 18,820
Jun 12, 2016 7:05pm
In other words, marginally older than Larry Holmes when Tyson destroyed him when he was making his reputation by destroying no-names and past-their-primes.Ironman92;1798824 wrote:Yeah but Ali would've been about 47 years old