#3 Muhammad Ali (Boxing)

Including anybody other than the guy they labelled the “Greatest” on a Mount Rushmore of sports GOATs would be sacrilegious. His aura and presence outside the ring were just as impressive as his smooth, refined fighting technique within. As a master of the English language, Muhammad Ali was able to verbally dispatch his opponents in 10-8 rounds before they ever entered the ring with him. Thus suggesting that he may have been the ideal all-around athlete.

Ali transcended the sport thanks to his charisma, self-assurance, and, of course, trash-talking skills. While outside the ring, Ali was a rather minor figure. Because of his unprecedented three-peat as world heavyweight champion, The Greatest’s likeness is permanently affixed on the WBC heavyweight crown. While recent boxers like Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Deontay Wilder have been criticized for avoiding the best opponents, the same criticism cannot be levelled at Muhammad Ali.

Who’s Floyd Patterson? Ali defeated him twice in competitive bouts. Foreman, George? He knocked him out cold. What’s up, Joe Frazier? Ali was defeated by Frazier the first time they fought, but he went on to win the next two bouts and win the trilogy overall. Though it wasn’t ideal for Ali to go out on the losing end of decisions with Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick, Ali’s reputation and effect on boxing are greater than any setbacks he may have suffered inside the ring.