The problem with this argument is with the Nation of Islam. They were corrupt and devious in their ways and they had influences over Ali in ways we will probably never know. If it was simply that Ali refused to fight for a country that didn't treat him fairly then fair play to him. He doesn't lose pts just because Louis didn't refuse because while they both lost years of their careers for different reasons but they both made choices. The thing is that Ali said no to being pimped out to a war and he suffered the consequences for that decision. This is what added to Ali's popularity, he was defiant in the face of bullcrap and whether right or wrong that won him supporters from all walks of life. Ali didn't fall in line with what he was being told and that stance gave people who were discriminated against a sense of dignity an defiance that can't be articulated. I remember on the Ali vs Holmes documentary there was a story where one guy asked an older black gentleman why he picked Ali to beat Holmes and the guy answered along the lines of "because Ali gave me my dignity". Whether you agree or not is your choice, or even if you don't understand it that is why people have that larger than life view of Ali. That's why he transcended boxing and despite LEGITIMATE arguments that he is not the best, some people aren't trying to hear it no matter what. I'm not saying its right but I have no problem understanding it at all. For all of his bullshit, Ali gave people hope because he was a public black figure who told the govt no when that just didn't happen often.