Thread: Jordan vs Ali: The Battle for The Greatest Athlete of The 20th Century

Originally Posted by Capulet

Let me close by saying that, if I was the boxing promoters of the world facing down the MMA challenge to their industry, I would be more excited if another Tyson came on the scene than another Holyfield.

I'm not entirely so sure. This aren't 20 years ago and it's debatable whether a Ali or Tyson would be tolerable in the modern age. I'd rather suggest that those two would be rather abrasive, and might further alienate boxing from the mainstream community. Of course they'd be good for glossy tabloids.

Originally Posted by Robinjazz

I'm disappointed in not finding Pistol Pete Maravich's name of the top of the greatest athletes list. Pistol Pete was the most prolific scorer in college basketball history. He could handle a basketball the way only few others could; he shot with frightening accuracy and his passing was phenomenal.

Thread creator only gave two options in the original post, which is why the discussion is centralised. Honestly, I think there's a number of athletes that should have been considered
eg
Mark Allen

• 6-time winner of the Ironman Hawaii (joint men's record)
• 5 consecutive victories in Hawaii (overall record)
• Nickname is "The Grip"

Originally Posted by Capulet

The blemishes of course are the fights against Holyfield, and there's no argument Holyfield is by far the classier of the two. I lean towards Tyson as the better athlete between the two, but you could make a case for either depending on how you define "better boxer."

Let me close by saying that, if I was the boxing promoters of the world facing down the MMA challenge to their industry, I would be more excited if another Tyson came on the scene than another Holyfield.

Indeed, Tyson, by far, was the hardest puncher; but, no way, the better athlete. Holyfield had it all--offense, defense. He was a pure boxer with a champion's heart. He would defeat an opponent in various ways, not depending on only a knockout.

If I were P.T. Barnum's great grandson, I'd get very excited if someone brought me a two-headed kangaroo that could fight.

Ali is hands down the greatest boxer of all time, but I would rank Jordan higher in regards to greatest athlete. But we are taking our eyes off the big picture when it comes to sports. What about athletes like Lance Armstrong? We are zeroing in on the more popular athletes of the more popular sports. There are those who have completely dominated their particular sport, even more so than Ali and Jordan. Regarding Tiger: his story is not completed, and if when it is, it does not contain a comeback then he most certainly should not be considered in this conversation. If some day he roars back with the fury of old.... then absolutely.