The Philippines greatest hero and patriot Dr. Jose Rizal was and is also not considered as a leader in the strictest term but he was looked upon as a figure head and the ultimate symbol of the Filipino struggle and aspiration for freedom and sovereignty. Muhammad Ali is much like that. He is not a leader in the conventional way but he wields the influence and even power of such borne out of his admirable idealism in promoting and fighting for peace, goodwill and equality among the diverse races comprising the USA and the peoples around the world. Even the leaders of the Soviet Union recognized him as such in his visit in that once Iron Curtain nation, among the first Americans to be given the privilege to tour the USSR at the height of the Cold War and whose visit was accorded the honors and ceremonies akin to a presidential state visit.

Good question. You'll probably hear many people label ALI as a leader and many would beg to differ. However, he did get EVERYONE's attention, and for good reason.

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For those who consider ALI a leader, there are MANY reasons for this. However, perhaps the most important characteristic of any leader is that he is willing to make sacrifices and do things that no other person would do.

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ALI knew that there was a very good chance that he would not have actually been placed in the line of fire. Like Joe Louis before him, he would likely have played a role of moral booster for troops. However, the difference is that ALI stood against the war because he did not believe in it.

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There are those detractors who say that ALI only did what the Muslims told him to do. However, what these detractors don't realize is that many of them were his managers. It would not have made good business sense to stand against the war. Giving up all he lost was ALI's decision, not theirs.

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I doubt you will find anyone who would have done the same. Perhaps, that is the most telling characteristic of a leader.

He was a voice for a lot of people who were not in the position to speak for themselves. If that makes him a leader, than so be it, but as far as amazing people go, he will be remembered right up their with the most influential. Presidents and Kings didn't have the recognition and political clout that Ali had, he was one of a kind.

Because he fought for civil rights and against discrimination by boldly expressing his views and taking a stand to the detriment of his own career. That's rare for a professional athlete. I mean, like Michael Jordan, for example. He's one of the greatest athletes ever, in the league of Ali and Babe Ruth. But Michael, with all due respect, only cared about competing and earning his millions out of it.

I would say no ...but he is a hero and an example. His stand against Vietnam at the cost of money and career was a role model for many...and he inspired African Americans at a crucial time in their history in America.