Those whom Muhammad Ali feared and admired

Second on this list was Archie Moorebecome both mentor and tactician. Moore taught Ali defensive habits that helped shape his style, although Ali later joked that these lessons could have cost him an Olympic gold medal. Ali regularly called Moore before major fights, relying on his advice. He described Moore as one of the bravest fighters he had ever faced.

Ali’s respect for Joe Frazier was profound, despite years of public insults. In later reflections, Ali admitted that Frazier’s pressure, drive and refusal to break up brought out the best in him. He said Frazier made him champion three times, not by beating him, but by pushing him beyond what he thought possible. When Frazier was hospitalized in 2011, Ali visited him, even though Parkinson’s disease limited what he could express. He then told Frazier’s family how much he loved him.

Ali also admired Sugar Ray Robinson for his perfection and Joe Louis for his champion dignity and composure.

The fighters Ali feared

Ali was just as honest about the men who really scared her.

#5 – Georges Foreman
In Zaire, Ali declared to those around him: “George is going to kill me.” The drug rope was born from this fear. Foreman’s power forced Ali to invent a way to survive.

#4 – Sonny Liston
Ali admitted he was terrified of Liston. He described him as destructive, dead-eyed and merciless. Liston told him directly that he would seriously hurt him. Ali barely slept the night before their first fight.

#3 – Joe Frazier
Frazier’s pressure, iron chin, and vicious left hook made him the toughest opponent Ali had ever faced stylistically.

#2 – Ken Norton
Norton broke Ali’s jaw in their first fight. Ali said Norton’s style was unsolvable and believed fighting him three times shortened his career.

#1 – Larry Holmes
Ali called Holmes the scariest opponent of all. Not because Holmes was the best, but because Ali was no longer himself. Holmes knew everything about him. Ali had taught him to fight. Financial need pushed Ali to enter the fight despite warnings. His intervention wouldn’t stop the fight, and Ali knew exactly how it would end.

Ali also named other people who scared him: Earnie Shavers, whom he called the hardest puncher he ever faced; a young Leon Spinks for his hunger and energy; and Jimmy Young, whose sleek style made Ali feel old in the ring.

For all his talk and bravado, Ali never pretended that fear didn’t exist. He simply chose to fight anyway.