Larry Holmes Has No Doubt Who The Greatest Heavyweight Of All Time Is: “I Know It’s Not Ali”

‘The Easton Assassin’ enjoyed an accomplished career that lasted just shy of three decades, where he held the world heavyweight championship between the years of 1978 and 1985.

He is known to have had one of the best jabs in boxing history, which played a significant role in his success at the height of his career.

During his reign as heavyweight champion, Holmes picked up impressive victories against the likes of Leon Spinks, Trevor Berbick and Muhammad Ali, before he was eventually dethroned by Michael Spinks in September 1985.

Speaking to Sky Sports Boxing, Holmes was asked to name who he believes is the greatest heavyweight in history, and although he admitted to copying Ali’s style, he believes his record proves he was the best over Ali.

“Everyone said I was just a copy of Muhammad Ali, just because I idolised they guy, he hit, boxed, moved around and looked good, I like his style, I copied some of his styles, his jabs and moves and whatnot and I bettered it.

I don’t get the recognition that I should get, like a Mike Tyson. Hey listen, I had 20 title defences, Mike Tyson had three or four and lost, I was champion for seven and a half years, he was champion for seven months, they don’t want to recognise me. Ali don’t have the fight record that I have with defending the title, he didn’t hold his title for seven and a half years. Why can’t I fit in that box, why does Muhammad Ali have to be the greatest, he can say he’s the greatest, you can say he’s the greatest, but I know different, I’m the greatest.”

Ali employed Holmes as his main sparring partner for the early part of his career before the two eventually met professional in the ring in 1980 when Holmes became the only man to ever stop Ali.