Ali , in boxing embodied all and more than a fighter could only dream of to possess. He was highly intelligent, a natural strategist and tactician, he was courageous and had the heart. Quitting was not in his dictionary. He was self conscious in a good way, meaning, he knew for sure that he was the greatest, simply because he was the best witness to all those terrific skills and will power, it NEVER went to his head. His "I am the greatest" claims with tongue in cheek, playfully, with his eyes radiating that famous twinkle. From his corner like a game of chess, he strategised together with Angelo Dundee round by round, his great sounding board. His height and reach were the optimum. Think of the disadvantages that Joe Frazier had and today Pacquiao. Ali could come through with punches that carried his body weight fusing speed, muscular strength with mass! Some fighters 'got it' other don't and some never will. And then those legs! Ali's legs had a great deal to do with his success and winning most of his bouts. He had this great natural ability to float like a butterfly.
This is what kept him looking 'pretty' (his own words) right until the end.
The greatest boxing ambassador the World has ever known!