who was the greatest: Muhammad ALi or Sugar Ray Robinson?

Both had indominable wills but Robinson was the better boxer.

Joe Gans and Jim driscoll were just as good and probably a lot more durable.

I'd say that Ali was the GREATEST because he transcended the sport, brought in multi-million dollar paydays, got the average person interested in boxing, was the most famous person on the planet. I will agree with Lyle that he was not always an angel, but he was the Greatest.

Sugar Ray was the better fighter !

Deof SRR, Ali said it himself, and that's one guy who's never unduely modest ;D
A lot is said about Ali's principles, but don't forget that when SRR was fighting, the mob controlled boxing, and the only one's who made it had to join with them. This is somehing that SRR and LaMotta refused to do, and as such had to force their ways to the top, despite not getting the fights they should have. This is the main reason they fought each other so much, there was nobody else!!
Also SRR was a true gentleman in the ring. Always respectful to his opponent's even in defeat. I would also say that he had everything as a fighter. I always felt Ali wasn't too heavy a hitter, something he said himself in the run up to the Foreman fight, "I don't hit too hard, but I'll out box him". (or something similar ;))

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Originally Posted by undefeated

i say Muhammad Ali

b4 his exile he was impossible 2 beat

when he cameback he was still almost impossible 2 beat
beat the indestructible sonny liston 2x-

beat the indestructible George foreman and ko his a**(the only man 2 do so)
beat frazier 2x
beat norton 2x

all of those fights he wasnt even in his prime---imagine if a prime ali existed!

ray robinson however was impossible 2 beat--the only time he could get licked was when he was an old man at like 44

if ali reached a prime i believe he would have been the greatest p4p fighter 2 ever live---thats y i pick ali

this is a very hard choice

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Did he really beat Norton twice or did he lose at least 2 or possibly all 3 :-\

Ray he was a much more exciting fighter to watch.

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Originally Posted by undefeated

i say Muhammad Ali

b4 his exile he was impossible 2 beat

when he cameback he was still almost impossible 2 beat
beat the indestructible sonny liston 2x-

beat the indestructible George foreman and ko his a**(the only man 2 do so)
beat frazier 2x
beat norton 2x

all of those fights he wasnt even in his prime---imagine if a prime ali existed!

ray robinson however was impossible 2 beat--the only time he could get licked was when he was an old man at like 44

if ali reached a prime i believe he would have been the greatest p4p fighter 2 ever live---thats y i pick ali

this is a very hard choice

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Sugar....Ali was one of the greatest though...

Robinson all day long.

SRR no match. Ali had his moments, but I never liked that he brought race and religion into boxing.

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Originally Posted by azumir

SRR no match. Ali had his moments, but I never liked that he brought race and religion into boxing.

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Evander brought religion into boxing too, don't forget. George Foreman did later on as well.

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Originally Posted by X

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Originally Posted by azumir

SRR no match. Ali had his moments, but I never liked that he brought race and religion into boxing.

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Evander brought religion into boxing too, don't forget. George Foreman did later on as well.

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Yes, but the subject was on Ali and SRR.

I don't care what this thread is about

ROY JONES JR

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Originally Posted by X

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Originally Posted by azumir

SRR no match. Ali had his moments, but I never liked that he brought race and religion into boxing.

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Evander brought religion into boxing too, don't forget. George Foreman did later on as well.

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not near the level of ALi.....Ali used religion as a crutch and as a tool at the same time.....He abused his religion at first then finally when he understood it he calmed down and was similar to George and Evander...

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Originally Posted by azumir

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Originally Posted by X

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Originally Posted by azumir

SRR no match. Ali had his moments, but I never liked that he brought race and religion into boxing.

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Evander brought religion into boxing too, don't forget. George Foreman did later on as well.

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Yes, but the subject was on Ali and SRR.

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My point was that other people did as well, so bringing the fact that he brought religion into boxing is hardly unusual. He also wasn't the first as John L was a great lecturer on religious matters in the bareknuckle days.

So, as many people did it. it is not relevant when discussing Ali/SRR

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Originally Posted by X

I'd say that Ali was the GREATEST because he transcended the sport, brought in multi-million dollar paydays, got the average person interested in boxing, was the most famous person on the planet. I will agree with Lyle that he was not always an angel, but he was the Greatest.

Sugar Ray was the better fighter !

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Agree completely, more people knew his name in the world than the Pope, US Pres. etc. Numreo uno.

Best boxer, Robinson. Best Showman, Ali.