Clay/Ali was one of the best boxers in the history of the game.
The feds pissed on him because of both his mouth and his religious switch and he had a large chip on his shoulder.
No heavy weight ever had his footwork, speed and eye hand coordination.
Others were heavier punchers, many were bigger and could take more punches, but Clay/Ali was great, even with a gummint shortened career.
No heavy weight ever had a national sports-caster (Cosell) shilling his career full time.
Few heavy weights ever have the promoters loosen the ropes so he could cheat (”rope a dope”) his way into a ring victory either.
As for his becoming a Muslim — he did that so he could avoid serving his nation in the fight against Communism.
There is nothing admirable about Cassius Clay.