Hey Matt will answer this later. Here we go sir!
1. March 8, 1971. This was the biggest date and the most anticipated fight in my lifetime otherwise known as 'The Fight of the Century" and what an exciting fight and easily the most anticipated fight of all time. And it lived up to all the hype. Despite the fact that Joe Frazier took the decision in this fight, it showed the resiliency of Ali and the courage of both men throughout.
2. The Rumble in the Jungle. When Ali took down the massive George Foreman he did something nobody thought he could do as Foreman looked unbeatable having destroyed Frazier in 2 rounds. Many thought Ali could get seriously hurt but Ali did the impossible and took the heavyweight crown.
3. The Thrilla in Manilla. Ali and Frazier were meant to fight each other in what could be considered the greatest trilogy of all time and many feel that this was the best of that trilogy with lots of action and drama right to the very end with both men giving each other hell.
4. Winning the title the first time over Sonny Liston. Liston was a menacing fighter and virtually nobody gave Ali (then Cassius Clay) a chance but as he said "He Shook Up the World" and a great fighter was known to the world for the first time.
5. 1966 fight vs Cleveland Williams. This would be ranked higher as I ranked the ones above it because of historical significance. But as far as his best performance goes, this is easily his best as he totally dominated the Big Cat showing speed and power like never before. Nobody couldhave beaten Ali that night.
6. 1967 vs Ernie Terrell. This was Ali at his cruelest as he was clearly agitated at Terrell refusing to call him by his Muslim name and he made Terrell pay dearly for it too hitting him nearly at will.
7. 2nd fight vs Liston. Easily the most controversial as Ali knocked out Sonny in only one round from what was called the phantom punch though films later showed that he had indeed connected to the chin with his famous anchor punch. Some have debated whetehr or not Sonny could have gotten up.
8. 1972 fight vs Bob Foster. The tall and lanky Foster though he ad the punch to stop Ali but was too busy getting knocked down in this lopsided fight.
9. 1st fight vs Floyd Patterson. Patterson was another fighter who refused to call Ali by his Muslim name. Patterson fought bravely but was outgunned by the bigger and stronger Ali.
10. 1st fight vs Jimmy Ellis. Ellis was a former sparring partner and a highly regarded fighter with excellent skills but Ali wasn't about to lose this one.
1. "The Rumble in the Jungle"
2. Sonny Liston I
3. Joe Frazier II
4. "Thrilla In Manilla"
5. Henry Cooper I
6. Earnie Shavers
7. Joe Frazier I
8. Ernie Terrell
9. Floyd Patterson I
10. Archie Moore
1. Fight of the Century
2. Rumble in the Jungle
3. Thrilla in Manila
4. Sonny Liston II
5. Floyd Patterson I
6. Archie Moore
7. Ken Norton II
8. Sonny Liston
9. Ernie Terrell
10. Larry Holmes
1. Thrilla in Manila
2. Rumble in The Jungle
3. Fight of The Century
4. Ali-Liston I
5. Ali-Patterson I
6. Ali-Lyle I
7. Ali-Patterson II
8. Ali-Terrell
9. Ali-Frazier II
10. Ali-Folley
I didn't take the Archie Moore fight and Liston II, because Moore was way too old and "The Phantom Punch" is a joke!
What are the top 10 Muhammad Ali fights in your opinion? Win or lose doesn't matter.
