James Toney Names The Greatest Boxer Of All Time: “Muhammad Ali Couldn’t Fight Like Him”

James Toney has revealed the one fighter that he believes was even greater than Muhammad Ali.

Ali remains one of the sports most influential figures, leaving a lasting impact on the sport in the present day. He began his professional career back in 1960, just months after he walked away from the Olympic games of that same year with a gold medal.

He captured the world heavyweight championship in his 20th professional contest, knocking out Sonny Liston in the second round of their memorable battle in Florida. He defeated Liston once again in their rematch just months later before going on to make eight successful defences of his crown.

After he returned from a career hiatus in 1970, Ali would go on to defeat ‘Big’ George Foreman in ‘The Rumble In The Jungle’ four years later, knocking his heavyweight rival out in the eighth round of one of boxing’s most iconic moments.

Speaking on the WiseNuts Podcast, Toney made no mistake in naming Sugar Ray Robinson as the greatest fighter of all time in his opinion, as he claims Ali tried to fight like Robinson, but couldn’t.

“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.”

Similar to Ali, Robinson is one of boxing’s most influential fighters ever, paired with an outstanding career which saw him win the world middleweight championship on five occasions between 1951 and 1960, as well as the world welterweight championship which he held a little earlier in his career between 1946 and 1951.

Robinson famously fought over 200 times, something impossible – for the best – in today’s sport. With 174 wins, he boasts one of the best and most prolific records in boxing history. With speed, a powerful jab and excellent combination punching, as well as an ability to fight to his opponent’s weaknesses, many, like Toney, regard him as the greatest pound-for-pound fighter ever.