Muhammad Ali famously anointed himself “The Greatest”, but the undisputed G.O.A.T — at least in his own eyes — fought decades earlier.
Ali’s achievements in the ring, combined with the admiration and respect he commanded outside it, made him not only one of boxing’s most treasured figures but an athlete who transcended the sport, repeatedly placing it at the centre of the sporting world.
His footwork, speed, balance and timing remain astonishing to this day, continuing to leave new audiences in awe of his ability.
Yet there was another American mover who displayed those same traits with frightening regularity in the 1940s and 1950s. Sugar Ray Robinson is revered across boxing, past and present, as arguably the greatest fighter of all time — alongside Mount Rushmore staples Ali and Joe Louis — and even Ali himself considered the former welterweight and middleweight champion the finest to ever do it.
“That man was beautiful. Timing, speed, reflexes, rhythm — his body, everything was beautiful.
“I’d say I’m the greatest heavyweight of all time, but pound-for-pound, I still say Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest of all time.”
Robinson’s numbers are the stuff of immortality, highlighted by a 91-fight unbeaten run from 1943 to 1951. Prior to that, he had begun his career with 40 consecutive victories before suffering his first defeat in 1943 to Jake LaMotta — the only win the “Raging Bull” managed in their famous rivalry.
Robinson finally called time on his career with 174 wins from 201 fights, making it clear exactly why Ali did view him as the greatest.
