In the eyes of millions, Muhammad Ali is the greatest fighter of all time.
But for three-weight world champion James ‘Lights Out’ Toney, this isn’t a statement that he agrees with.
The 56-year-old from Michigan fought as a professional for just shy of 30 years between 1988 and 2017. During his tenure, he picked up world titles at middleweight, super middleweight and cruiserweight, as well as two unsuccessful world title challenges at heavyweight in 2005 and 2006.
Toney fought 92-times during his accomplished career, suffering defeat on ten occasions. He picked up impressive victories against the likes of Mike McCallum, Iran Barkley and Michael Nunn. His last professional outing came in May 2017 when he knocked out Mike Sheppard in Michigan.
Speaking on the WiseNuts Podcast, ‘Lights Out’ revealed Sugar Ray Robinson as the greatest of all time in his honest opinion, claiming Muhammad Ali ‘wasn’t all that’.
“Ali ain’t the greatest fighter of all time, when he was Cassius Clay he was great, Ali is trash. The greatest fighter of all time is Sugar Ray Robinson, that guy was beautiful he fought beautiful. Ali wanted to be him, that was Ali’s idol, Ali tried to fight like him but he couldn’t do it.”
Robinson’s career and legacy speaks for itself. He fought 201 times during his professional career, winning on 174 occasions. He won world titles in two divisions during his 25-year campaign, knocking out over 100 of the fighters he defeated during this time.
After a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease, Robinson tragically passed away in 1989. His incredible legacy lives on and he is often referred to as one of, if not the greatest fighter in boxing history.
