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[H2O Man]

11. He was.

In large part because he accomplished what was considered impossible at the time. Very few people thought that he could withstand the power of Liston or Foreman when he challenged for their titles. By briefly becoming "Cassius X" after the liston bout, then Muhammad Ali, he was welcomed when he toured the Middle East. Then the whole world watched him defeat Big George in Africa a decade later. He fought in Canada, Europe, and Asia as well, the true definition of a world champion.

Also of great significance was his refusal to be drafted, which led to his fight against Uncle Sam in the American legal system. A fight that he won in the U.S. Supreme Court with an 8 to 0 decision. Talk about being bigger than sports!

After retiring from the ring, Ali did things such as getting hostages released -- often in coordination with his former opponent, Uncle Sam. Thus, he stands alone at the very highest level when considering great athletes.