He was a great fighter. Truly. I have great respect for his abilities. He was at his peak in a very competitive era in boxing, and if he had come along at another time he very likely would be now remembered as a World Heavyweight Champion. He frustrated Ali because of his style, including keeping his weight back on his back foot. The importance of specific match ups is very much exemplified by the fact that Ali had big problems with Ken Norton, but handily beat George Foreman, who decimated Norton. All of them were great fighters. All of them.
And don’t forget Larry Holmes and the great 15rd fight he had with him.
You really know your boxing. My 84 y/o dad used to coach young boxers, and he can still appraise a boxer’s skills in just a few moves. Actually, I thought Muhammad Ali would be the first to go, but his life has been very heavily managed for years and years. Expect a huge, and fancy funeral when he does go. It will put New Orleans to shame.