What made Muhammad Ali such a remarkable sportsman?

He made an art out of beating up people.

Bravado

My colleague "one you warned" said it best - Bravado. Boxing historians will argue about his tactics (rope-a-dope, etc) but in the 1960's, he was not the humble quiet Patterson or Turrell...he was an angry (militant) black guy which obviously rubbed 1960s America the wrong way (I know, racist..). Now, that attitude is a dime-a-doze but at the time, it was scary to some. In the end he became a inspiration to many - of all color! To bring it back to front though, when he was first fighting - he was bad ass: fast & heavy hitter!

He punched them real good.

He backed up what he said.

Showmanship and the skill to back it up.