Tom Keegan: No question about it, Ali was the greatest

photo by: Timothy D. Easley/AP Photo

A small memorial sits in front of the boyhood home of Muhammad Ali, Saturday in Louisville Ky. Ali, the magnificent heavyweight champion whose fast fists and irrepressible personality transcended sports and captivated the world, has died according to a statement released by his family Friday, June 3, 2016. He was 74.

The Greatest is the greatest of all sports nicknames. It needs no third word, no explanation, no debate about whether Joe Louis was a greater boxer, Michael Jordan a greater competitor, Charles Barkley a greater comedian.

It’s an all-encompassing moniker. He was a great boxer, a great-looking man, a great entertainer, a great promoter.

In today’s world, most so famous might resent others for riding coattails to fame. Howard Cosell became Muhammad Ali’s shadow, and The Champ loved it. Cosell provided the platform, and Ali sprinkled his charisma all over the globe.

In his early days, before the 31?2-year suspension for refusing induction into the military, Ali’s fights were televised, and my four older brothers, our father and I would cram into the den and watch them on the black-and-white TV. I’ll never forget feeling so sorry for Zora Folley, on his knees, blood gushing from his nose, after Ali had tagged him with a left hook and gamely continuing. That was March 22, 1967, my eighth birthday and Ali’s final pre-suspension fight.

March 8, 1971, he fought Joe Frazier on closed-circuit TV at various locations throughout the country. Learning from cracking open the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle the next morning that Ali had lost to Frazier at Madison Square Garden brought a sick feeling that a sporting event didn’t again create until I watched Stewart Cink edge ageless Tom Watson in the 2012 British Open.

For a young sports fan growing up in the ’60’s and ’70’s, all roads led to Ali. My older brothers and sisters constantly listened to Diana Ross and the Supremes. Great sound, but a connection to Ali made them even cooler in my young mind. Jean Terrell was one of the Supremes. Ernie Terrell, Jean’s brother, was one of Ali’s victims. Terrell covered his face with his arms for 15 rounds. Years later, Ali covered himself in a similar manner and leaned against loosened ropes as George Foreman punched himself into exhaustion, just as Ali had planned.

The Rocky movies never would have happened if not for Ali, but don’t blame him for the many bad sequels. A heavyweight by the name of Chuck Wepner, aka the Bayonne Bleeder, was the inspiration for Rocky. A truck driver from New Jersey, Wepner became a celebrity when Ali introduced his blood to the world.

Cruel in mocking Joe Frazier when promoting their three bouts, Ali was far from perfect. Perfection is not attainable by humans. Life is not a game of perfect, even for The Greatest.