Former WBC cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew has revealed what he believes to have been the greatest win in the history of boxing.
Boxing has played host to some of sport’s most iconic moments, with the days of Muhammad Ali, ‘The Four Kings’ and then the rise and fall of Mike Tyson sticking out as three of the most legendary eras in the fight game’s last century.
Ali’s greatness is defined by his many legendary moments; notably his knockout of Sonny Liston the day after his 22nd birthday, his mesmerising trilogy with ‘Smokin’ Joe Frazier and most famously, his phenomenal upset victory over the fearsome George Foreman.
That night in Zaire is referred to continuously by the world, even by those who were not alive to witness it, etched into the history of boxing as ‘The Rumble in the Jungle’ and the day that Ali silenced his doubters with a tactical masterplan.
Speaking on the Fight Your Corner Podcast, in partnership with Midnite, Bellew labelled Ali’s round eight knockout of ‘Big George’ as the ‘greatest result of any fighter ever’.
“When Muhammad Ali beat George Foreman in the jungle and they get five-million each, that is worth more than $100 million now. “
“In my opinion that is the greatest result of any fighter ever.
“Do you understand that he [Ali] was crying in his dressing room, crying tears because he thought he [Foreman] was going to kill him.
“Have you seen him when he was in the tunnel and someone says, ‘why are you all upset? I am the one fighting him, at least smile and pretend that you think I am going to win!’.
“It’s unbelievable, he was set up to be beat. I can’t ever grasp how great and amazing Muhammad Ali was. No matter how much I rant on and say it, he is my hero, my icon, a living God to me, but what he done that night – you will never, ever understand the magnitude of it.
“George Foreman was a wrecking machine of the highest caliber, he is still the biggest puncher that the heavyweight division has ever seen.”
It is clear to see why Bellew regards that fight so highly, and another event could be set for the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), as Floyd Mayweather and Mike Tyson had been linked to an exhibition bout in memory of Ali’s most celebrated display.
Talks for that contest are currently on hold though, and it seems as if it could be headed elsewhere, if it does indeed take place.
