Why is Muhammad Ali considered the GOAT of boxing?

• Muhammad Ali, often considered the greatest boxer of all time, is a name which resonates well with boxing fans worldwide
• The legend’s rise to greatness has been well documented and even those who don’t follow boxing are familiar with his tale of success
• Ali was loved by many during his days because he was not only a boxer but also a social justice and a civil rights icon

Muhammad Ali, often considered the greatest boxer of all time, is a name which resonates well with boxing fans worldwide. It’s 43 years since Ali last boxed professionally and eight years since he passed away but he’s still remembered like a modern day star. The legend’s rise to greatness has been well documented and even those who don’t follow boxing are familiar with his tale of success.

Over the course of his professional boxing career, Ali lost just five of his 61 fights. On top of that, he reigned as a heavyweight champion and held several titles in the division. To be honest, we’ve seen boxers with better pro records that Ali and some like Floyd Mayweather go unbeaten throughout their career. So, why is Ali considered the GOAT?

Muhammad Ali. Photo/ WDR.

In this in-depth article, we’re going to explore some of the reasons why Muhammad Ali takes the crown as boxing’s greatest.

Speed And Toughness

Let’s talk about Ali’s boxing skills a bit. Unlike so many elite-level boxers, Ali managed to stay at the top because he was truly great inside the ropes. The former heavyweight champion was very fast and there’s no doubt he is the fastest boxer we’ve ever seen.

Ali was just too fast for the big men in the heavyweight division who couldn’t move like him. He simply danced around the ring while timing his opponent and rarely fought defensively like modern boxers.

On top of that, he had a tough chin and many people questioned his toughness and courage.  As a result, some concluded that if he gets hit by a hard puncher then he would lose via knockout. But they were very far from being right.

Ali withstood the powers of punches thrown the hardest hitters of his generation like George Foreman, Ken Norton, Joe Fraizer and Larry Holmes. In fact, he was knocked down only four times throughout his career, by Chuck Wepner, Joe Frazier, Sonny Banks and Henry Cooper. And of the four, the only one who got a win against him was Fraizer.

Muhammad Ali Was People’s Champion

Muhammad Ali was a man of the people. Photo/ MYmovies.

Stars in the boxing world nowadays do their best to avoid interacting with fans or making themselves available to the media. In fact, majority like Mayweather are often surrounded by a platoon of mammoth goons to ensure people don’t come closer to them.

Well, Muhammad Ali did the opposite that. Despite being famous all over the world, Ali maintained his openness, sense of humor and natural charisma. He was free with people and never failed to interact with his admirers. To add, Ali employed just one bodyguard. Due to his closeness with the public, Ali is often considered the people’s champion and will forever be loved.

Social Justice And Civil Rights Icon

Apart from the success that comes with boxing, Ali fought so he could be successful and get people to listen to him. He was an advocate for social justice and created awareness about racism throughout his career. He was also against segregation, supremacy and U.S. hegemony.

“When you saw me in the boxing ring fighting, it wasn’t just so I could beat my opponent. My fighting had a purpose. I had to be successful in order to get people to listen to the things I had to say… I wanted to be a champion who was accessible to everyone. I hoped to inspire others to take control of their lives and to live with pride and self-determination.” Muhammad Ali is quoted by University of Louisville Libraries.

Considering Ali was in the same era as Fred Hampton, Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, let’s say he was lucky he wasn’t assassinated like the rest.

Muhammad Ali. Photo/ USA Today.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Muhammad Ali is considered the greatest of all time not only because of his prowess in the ring but also because of how he lived his life outside the sport. Apart from being a fighter, Ali also championed for equal treatment and was against vices like racism and supremacy which were very common in the United States back in the days.