Heavyweight Legend Says He Respects Muhammad Ali But Declares “I’m The Greatest Of All Time”

The career of Ali was filled with tremendous highs as well as a few unfortunate lows. He enjoyed admirable success for the most part of his tenure, including capturing the undisputed heavyweight title when he defeated George Foreman in ‘The Rumble In The Jungle’ in 1974.

Ali defeated the likes of Foreman, Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and Earnie Shavers during his glittering career, although he did suffer a number of shock defeats throughout.

He made 10 successful defences of his undisputed championship during the mid-to-late 1970s, before he was defeated by Leon Spinks in February 1978.

‘The Greatest’ got his revenge over Spinks just seven months later, although he would go on to suffer defeats in the final two bouts of his career at the hands of Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick.

By that time, it was public knowledge that Ali’s health had began to deteriorate rapidly when he faced both in 1980 and 1981 respectively.

Despite his undeniable success and his exceptional career achievements, former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has had his say on whether he believes Ali is actually the greatest of all time.

Speaking to Fight Hype, Lewis declared himself as the best heavyweight of all time, but paid homage to Ali and the influence he had on him.

“I say I’m the best ever in the heavyweights but I still got respect for Muhammad Ali because he came before me, and watching Ali on TV with my mum when I was younger, this was the man that inspired me to join boxing.”

Lewis retired from boxing in 2003 having won the world heavyweight championship on three occasions, as well as the undisputed championship which he won by defeating Evander Holyfield in their 1999 rematch.