Muhammad Ali -- What's the big deal?

[UKPat02]

Am I missing something? I realize the guy was a terrific boxer, but how did he take the step into being an American hero and icon? What makes him so great? Can someone fill me in?

[Habib]

Boxing used to be a much bigger deal. Everyone followed boxing, and Ali was the greatest. What sent him over the cliff though was his charisma, the guy's interviews were as entertaining as his knockouts and America fell in love. Just my $.02.

[halfback20]

He's possibly the greatest boxer of all time...and he was the best during the time where boxing was at it's best.

[AverageJoesGym]

Am I missing something? I realize the guy was a terrific boxer, but how did he take the step into being an American hero and icon? What makes him so great? Can someone fill me in?

 

 

Either A) You're too young to remember Ali and boxing in their prime or B) You're just trying to get everyone stirred up. I'll give you the doubt and say A. If so watch "When We Were Kings" and you'll have your answer. Heavyweight boxers used to be the most famous athletes in the world and Ali was the best of the best. He also took a stand for his beliefs during a incendiary point of our history. If you don't know why he's a national treasure I probably can't tell you, however, you should do some research before you call him just a terrific boxer.

[newarkcatholicfan]

He was not afraid to be who he was and that in book goes a long way.

[sportsfan41]

I'd say it was a combination of Boxing being the biggest sport at that time. Him being probably the best Entertainer @ that time. AND The fact that even though people didn't always agree with his beliefs he stood up for them in a time period that was very crucial in shaping our country into what it has become today. And I'd say without people like him today, we wouldn't have alot of the freedoms we still do today(this post feels so awkward sense I'm kinda VERY conservative), and he should be thanked for each and every aspect of what he helped this nation through.

[UKPat02]

Either A) You're too young to remember Ali and boxing in their prime or B) You're just trying to get everyone stirred up. I'll give you the doubt and say A. If so watch "When We Were Kings" and you'll have your answer. Heavyweight boxers used to be the most famous athletes in the world and Ali was the best of the best. He also took a stand for his beliefs during a incendiary point of our history. If you don't know why he's a national treasure I probably can't tell you, however, you should do some research before you call him just a terrific boxer.

 

I am way too young to remember Ali's boxing prime. But wasn't Kareem a great basketball player? Hank a great baseball player? These guys can't even sniff the respect and reverence that Americans shower upon Ali. What makes him so much better? What makes people in awe of Ali?

[ladiesbballcoach]

Put Michael Jordan in a pair of boxing trunks.

Put a charimatic Tiger Woods in a pair of boxing trunks.

and you have Ali.

[UKPat02]

^I doubt we will ever see a Tiger Woods museum. Probably won't even see a Michael Jordan museum. I would dare say neither of those guys would be chosen out of millions of Americans to light an Olympic torch, either.

 

What if Ali had never developed Parkinsons? Does he still hold the same stature as he does today?

[iPapi]

^I doubt we will ever see a Tiger Woods museum. Probably won't even see a Michael Jordan museum. I would dare say neither of those guys would be chosen out of millions of Americans to light an Olympic torch, either.

 

What if Ali had never developed Parkinsons? Does he still hold the same stature as he does today?

 

 

Parkinsons disease has absolutely nothing to do with Ali's legacy.

 

He was and is simply the greatest entertainer in the history of sports, period.

[bugatti]

Parkinsons disease has absolutely nothing to do with Ali's legacy.

 

He was and is simply the greatest entertainer in the history of sports, period.

 

This I agree with. Most boxing historians or even those that know a little about boxing are aware that Ali was not the greatest fighter of all-time (some would argue he is not in the top 5); but, he was an entertainment figure that held a high position that made a lot of bold statements and actions and was one of the first to do so.

[ladiesbballcoach]

Parkinsons disease has absolutely nothing to do with Ali's legacy.

He was and is simply the greatest entertainer in the history of sports, period.

I disagree. I think it soften the hearts of several who did not like him because of the way the draft issue happened.

[iPapi]

I disagree. I think it soften the hearts of several who did not like him because of the way the draft issue happened.

 

I guess I should have stated that it isn't an issue with me or most people I know.

 

bugatti...ESPN just had a Top 50 list of the greatest boxers of all time regardless of weight. I don't want to spoil seeing the list for anyone, but I will say that Ali was not #1.

 

Here is the link:

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest150

[Ram]

All the answers above are correct. Plus he pretty much created "trash talk", which really made him entertaining even in his interviews. Many times he even had his opponents laughing in interviews. Try to watch some clips of his interviews and weigh-ins, then watch some of his fights. He not only talked the talk, but he also walked the walk.

[oldrambler]

Am I missing something? I realize the guy was a terrific boxer, but how did he take the step into being an American hero and icon? What makes him so great? Can someone fill me in?

There is NO big deal about Cassius Clay in my mind and never will be. Yes, he was a great boxer, no argument there. Yes, he turned his back on his country when many young men went and fought and died for America and he chose to turn his back on his country. That fact in itself reduces him to trash in my book.

 

Cassius Clay (and yes, his name is Cassius Clay) made to be a hero or icon is a sad joke.................Period.

Next time I will tell you how I really feel.