[/quote]
But this is a thread on how good Ali was, not about so called one eyed racists in the CCS
Yes Tyson was scary he used to give me nightmares in his early years. Marciano IMO would not of got near Ali. Marciano era didn't throw up many good boxers but you cant take away the fact he was the only undefeated Heavyweight in History. [/quote]
Buddy, if you think Ali was / is just about boxing, you miss the whole point.
But on boxing, the suggestion is that there were plenty of bums on Marciano's record. Prior to beating Liston, Ali only really fought a couple of names.....one of them was Archie Moore and he was 46 at the time!! Defended against John-Pierre Coopman, Jimmy Young, Richard Dunn, Chuck Wepner, Juergan Blin, George Chuvalo. I recon Marciano in his scariest pomp would have blasted our hero. I recon he could have beaten the list above if they were all in the ring together!
Still my hero, though![/quote]
[color=#FF0000]Chief you can drag racism into any argument if you want to but I find the subject boring and overused in life today.
Yes the names you mentioned above aren't well known but you will always get the cannon fodder. You can throw in the names of all the other great heavyweights that Ali fought as well as the above and any of those spinks foreman ETC would of ruled in any other era. To be honest we have all wondered if you could get all the greats in history and put them together what would be the outcome ? Who would beat who and who would be the greatest ?
If only we could find out [/color][/quote]
CHIEF; no great wish to prolong with you. However, my comment was that Ali was "a conduit for great change in USA and beyond (even if we still have one eyed racists in the CCS crowd!)".
He was. We still have a few knuckleheads, as well. Can't see it as me dragging racism along unduely. Most people will be aware of and comfortable with the fact that Ali changed American mindsets in a quiet stunning manner. Christ, there was still apartheid in southern states and effictive Klu Klux Klan regiments when I was a kid in the 60's!! Ali was a significant part of change. Which adds to his lustre. And is a valid part in discussing why the man is a hero to many.
Back to boxing, I think history has yet to be fair to Larry Holmes, who was a right good champion. Lennox Lewis is generally well regarded in the States (which is almost unheard of for a non Yank) and will stand the test of time........
even though some say he hid from Riddick Bowe for a long time![/quote]
What?????
Bowe dumped the title in the trash bin so he wouldn't have to fight Lewis.