Muhammad Ali is viewed by many as the greatest heavyweight of all time, but another boxing legend has disputed that claim.
Ali became a three-time world heavyweight champion, with iconic wins over George Foreman in the ‘Rumble In The Jungle’ and Joe Frazier in the ‘Thrilla In Manila’ helping to add to his legacy.
There are several others who managed to earn world honours in the banner division on three occasions, including Lennox Lewis and Vitali Klitschko, but the only man who has managed it on four occasions has stated his case for why he is greater than Ali.
That fighter is Evander Holyfield, and he explained to Seconds Out why he believes nobody is on his level.
“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.”
It is hard to argue with Holyfield’s view, as he was undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up and achieving that status at heavyweight too, claiming wins against fighters such as Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, George Foreman and Larry Holmes along the way.
Despite those memorable triumphs, Holyfield once revealed another name when he was asked who his greatest ever victory came against.
