The Only Heavyweight To KO Muhammad Ali Declares Himself The Greatest Ever: “It’s Clear”

The boxing icon was a three-time lineal heavyweight champion and was involved in some of the most memorable fights in the history of the sport, including the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’ with George Foreman and the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ against Joe Frazier.

Despite those accolades, it is another of Ali’s former foes who believes that it should be him who is viewed as the greatest ever, rather than Ali.

That man is Larry Holmes, who defeated Ali in the legendary boxer’s penultimate fight, where it was clear to see that Ali was far past his best.

Holmes held the world heavyweight title from 1978 to 1985, making 20 straight defences of his belt, and he explained on Sky Sports why he believes he should be viewed as the best.

“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.”

Holmes would eventually retire in 2002 with a final record of 69 wins and 6 defeats, but he revealed he regrets not facing one heavyweight legend during his career.