Ali has to be up there, but this will be a difficult one to agree on considering the different types of sport and levels of fitness and technique required, especially if we include athletes from a bygone era because nutrition and training methods have leaped exponentially through the years. But I´ll go with Ali to set off the ´bun-fight´.
Gaius Appuleius Diocles He was a charioteer in the 2nd Century, and won the equivalent (in today's money) of over $15 BILLION in price money. As that seems to be how the media measure greatness, that's my answer.
Sugar Ray Robinson is considered P4P better than Ali. I'd definitely favour a boxer though... I'm not sure any athlete has mastered their craft quite like Floyd Mayweather in the last 20 odd years (he's also the richest sportsman in the world). Interesting article on a similar topic: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/25816658
I'd say someone like Haile Gabrisolassi (excuse the spelling) - a combination of strength and stamina although I'm not too well versed on such things. Either that or Dean Windass.
Sergey Bubka (Pole vaulter) broke the world record for men's pole vaulting 35 times, & first to clear 6.0 metres
Great question. My first response was Jesse Owens too. I do wonder whether a Decathlete ought to feature. Daley?? Surprised The Bolt has not featured yet either.
Steve Redgrave - to win five golds in a row in a sport where training rips you apart and pushes you to the edge....... Sir Steve - I take my cap off to you..............
dammit, you just said in that because you wanted to beat me to it! he was so far ahead of any other player but then that probably applies to 20 other sportsmen.
