Is it just a cliche to say that Muhammad Ali was the greatest?
I rate Ali very highly. But, ill play devils advocate and state the case against. Ali won the title against an ageing but still dangerous Liston. There was controversy in both fights, many believe the Mafia were involved in Liston losing. Alis defences in the 1960’s were against average opposition such as Brian London and Ernie Terrell, or guys who were past their best such as Cleveland Williams, Zora Foley and Henry Cooper. He struggled with Karl Mildenburger. Ali was badly hurt by Cooper, and probably saved by the bell in their first fight. Cooper would only be a Cruiserweight today. When he came back, he was battered by a peak Joe Frazier in their first fight. Many people think he actually lost all three Ken Norton fights. He also got what many feel was a lucky decision against Jimmy Young. Ali also never came close to stopping Joe Bugner or Ernie Shavers. Ali defended against some very poor opposition such as Richard Dunn, Jean Pierre Coopmans, Chuck Wepner and Alfredo Evangelista.
