Howe stands alone at the top

The evolution of sport demands Darwinian natural selection in determining the all-time greats.

Pure talent and big numbers are obviously important, but longtime physical dominance combined with intangibles like showmanship and charisma also factor into the equation. It's the whole package that counts.

Look at it this way: If prodigious numbers were the truest measure of athletic immortality, Barry Bonds would be as revered as Mickey Mantle, Wayne Rooney would inspire Maradona-like rapture and Wladimir Klitschko would be mentioned in the same breath as Joe Louis.