I don't think you can limit Ali to either catagory. Of course he would prefer to box and jab from outside, but he could go toe to toe with anyone. Despite all the killers he faced, he was never stopped in his prime. If you look at his KO of Foreman and his wars with Frazier he was highly skilled at in fighting. He just didnt prefer to be there, especially when that was to the advantage of some of his opponents.

He was strictly on the outside.

Ali's an ATG fighter, top two IMO, but his inside game was really weak. He didn't go to the body, he basically just shelled up/held on the inside and he took a lot of punishment doing it.

That's why a guy like Frazier had so much success. Ali did very well on the outside, but when Joe got inside on him, Ali would get literally get mauled. He would get mauled badly.

he was a outside fighter. he was taller nd faster. he couldn't go blow for blow with a stronger person like george foreman. obviously he beat george but he has a harder jaw so he let george beat on him. then came back when foreman was tired.

outfighter ali never realy slugged it out with anyone

I am leaning towards out-fighter simply based on the float like a butterfly sting like a bee sounds like an out-fighter hit and run style expression. Also it makes me think his footwork and mobility was a big part of his fight which is an out-figher trait, but I just wanted to make sure.