Muhammad Ali is considered by many sports fans to be the greatest to ever step into a boxing ring, however, one former champion doesn’t necessarily agree.
Nicknamed ‘The Greatest’, there have been few athletes that have made such an impact in their sport as Ali. With a record of 56-5, Ali is considered one of the greatest heavyweight boxers ever.
One of the most famous names of all time, Ali helped to escalate the profile of boxing and inspired millions around the world.
However, although his influence on the sport is undeniable, some people would dispute his title of being the best boxer of all time.
Former champion feels he is the greatest boxer of all time, not Muhammad Ali
Despite Ali’s contribution to the sport and performances against the elite in boxing, Evander Holyfield disagrees with claims that he is the greatest of all time.
Not only does Holyfield dispute that Ali is the greatest, but feels it should be his name associated with the accolade instead.
Speaking to Seconds Out, Holyfield explained his reasons for the claim.
“I’m the only four-time heavyweight champion of the world but they are still talking about Ali when I broke his record. I’ve been the only four-time heavyweight champion of the world for 24 years.
“You can’t talk about it until you break someone’s record, they don’t say nothing about me. How do you cut somebody out of history? Now I didn’t even know I was the first person to be undisputed in two weight divisions until Usyk did it.
“They keep saying Ali is the best fighter, no I am. He was three times, I’m four.”
Ali first got his hands on a world title in 1964, defeating Sonny Liston in round six. His second title reign would begin in 1974, defeating George Foreman in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’. Finally, Ali became a three-time world champion in 1978, besting Leon Spinks.
As for Holyfield, his move from cruiserweight to heavyweight came in 1988. His four title reigns in the division would be from 1990-1992, 1993-1994, 1996-1999, and 2000-2001.
Holyfield’s last professional fight came in 2011 as ‘The Real Deal’ retired with a record of 44-10-2.
Muhammad Ali is not the greatest heavyweight of all time according to Geroge Foreman
Former heavyweight champion George Foreman named who he thinks is the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time, and it is not Ali.
Foreman is the oldest heavyweight champion in boxing history and has chosen Lennox Lewis as the best to ever fight in the weight class.
Speaking on the broadcast of Lewis vs Mike Tyson in 2002, Foreman showed no hesitation in saying that the British fighter was the best heavyweight of all time, in his opinion.
“Clearly, what he has done puts him on top. There is no doubt about it, he did everything.”