Boxing Legend Says He Respects Muhammad Ali But Declares Himself ‘The Greatest Ever’

Muhammad Ali is often commended for being one of, if not the greatest fighter of all time.

The heavyweight icon rose to prominence during the early sixties, beginning his professional career back in 1960 just months after he won an Olympic Gold Medal at the Barcelona games.

He captured world honours for the very first time in February of 1964, stopping the legendary Sonny Liston during the sixth round of their showdown in Miami, Florida.

Ali made a sensational return to the sport in 1970 after taking a 3-year hiatus, before going on to lock horns with George Foreman in October 1974 to win the world heavyweight championship once again in what is more commonly known as ‘The Rumble In The Jungle’.

Despite his considerable success, there is one retired boxing legend who claims he should be regarded as the greatest of all time instead of Ali.

That man is five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr, who revealed in an interview with First Post that he believes he should be ranked above the heavyweight icon.

“I feel like I have done just as much in the sport as Ali. It is hard for a guy to be like me, still sharp at 38. No disrespect to Ali, but I feel like I am the best. Ali lost in his career to Leon Spinks. He lost some other fights and is still known as the greatest. That is what it is.”

Mayweather drew the curtain on his career eight years ago, just months after he won the 50th and final bout of his tenure against MMA legend Conor McGregor.

He racked up a number of career defining wins along the way, defeating the likes of Canelo Alvarez, Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya to name a few.