Connect with us

Boxing

Muhammad Ali admitted that one man stood above him as the greatest of all time: “He is the best of all time”

Published

on

Muhammad Ali admitted one man stood above him as the greatest of all time: “He’s the best ever”

Muhammad Ali became famed for anointing himself “The Greatest,” but the undisputed GOAT – at least in his own eyes – had fought decades earlier.

Ali’s achievements in the ringcombined with the admiration and respect he commanded off the field, made him not only one of boxing’s most treasured figures, but also an athlete who transcended the sport, repeatedly placing him at the center of the sports world.

His footwork, speed, balance and timing remain astonishing to this day, inspiring admiration in fresh viewers.

However, in the 1940s and 1950s, there was another American activist who exhibited these same traits with alarming regularity. Sugar Ray Robinson is revered throughout boxing, past and present, as arguably the greatest fighter of all time – alongside Mount Rushmore greats Ali and Joe Louis – and even Ali himself considered the former welterweight and middleweight champion the best of all time.

“This man was attractive. The timing, the speed, the reflexes, the rhythm – his body, everything was attractive.

“I’d say I’m the greatest heavyweight of all time, but pound for pound I still say Sugar Ray Robinson was the best of all time.”

Robinson’s numbers are proof of immortality, highlighted by a 91-fight unbeaten streak from 1943 to 1951. He began his career with 40 straight wins before suffering his first loss to Jake LaMotta in 1943 – the only victory “Raging Bull” had in their famed rivalry.

Robinson eventually finished his career with 174 wins in 201 fights, which showed exactly why Ali considered him the best.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Liam Smith Accused of Assault: Ex-World Champion Boxer Allegedly Punches Man on the Ground

Published

on

"Liam Smith Accused of Assault: Ex-World Champion Boxer Allegedly Punches Man on the Ground"

He added that the cameras also recorded Smith allegedly “pushing past people to resume the incident, punching someone on the floor”.

Judge Gilbart adjourned the hearing until 28 November. Smith was told to be ready to enter his pleas on that date.

The fighter, nicknamed ‘Beefy’, was granted bail with conditions not to contact Nke or to enter Manchester, unless to attend court, or for appointments with his solicitor.

Judge Gilbart fixed a provisional trial date for the week commencing 15 March 2028.

Smith, now of Formby in Sefton, was due to make a comeback in a fight on 4 September in Finland, but pulled out due to a calf injury, according to reports.

Smith, one of four brothers who all boxed professionally and all won titles at British level, has fought some of the biggest names in the sport including a defeat to Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.

More recently he fought British rival Chris Eubank Jr twice, defeating him in the first fight in January 2023, before suffering a defeat in the rematch eight months later.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Unbeaten World Champion Challenges Oleksandr Usyk for Cruiserweight Title Rematch

Published

on

"Unbeaten World Champion Challenges Oleksandr Usyk for Cruiserweight Title Rematch"

Oleksandr Usyk could be involved in one of the “biggest fights in cruiserweight history”, just so long as he is willing to drop back down to 200lbs.

The 39-year-old has not fought at the weight since 2018, when he became the undisputed king by dethroning Murat Gassiev with a wide points victory.

Usyk also defined his cruiserweight reign with a majority decision triumph over Mairis Briedis, before moving up in weight and becoming a two-division world champion.

He did so by dethroning Anthony Joshua in 2021, with the Ukrainian then winning their rematch and eventually facing Tyson Fury for all four major heavyweight belts.

Then, this past June, Usyk made the decision to vacate his titles after having become a two-division undisputed champion and secured a harder-than-expected 11th-round stoppage of former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

Still, though, the decorated southpaw intends to fight for a short while longer and, according to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, has mentioned a Fury trilogy and David Benavidez clash as possible options.

Speaking to Last Stand Podcastunified cruiserweight champion Benavidez said he would gladly face Usyk at his current fighting weight.

“The point I wanted to make when we’re talking about Usyk is: I don’t know if that would be at heavyweight or cruiserweight. Didn’t Usyk relinquish all his belts?

“In my opinion, it would be a bigger fight at cruiserweight because, once I capture this [WBC] title, that would be three belts [on the line]. It would probably be one of the biggest fights in cruiserweight history.”

While a potential Usyk showdown could be explored, Benavidez has already committed to facing WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December and verbally agreed to fight Jai Opetaia next year.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Unbeaten World Champion Challenges Oleksandr Usyk for Cruiserweight Belt Redemption

Published

on

"Unbeaten World Champion Challenges Oleksandr Usyk for Cruiserweight Belt Redemption"

Oleksandr Usyk could be involved in one of the “biggest fights in cruiserweight history”, just so long as he is willing to drop back down to 200lbs.

The 39-year-old has not fought at the weight since 2018, when he became the undisputed king by dethroning Murat Gassiev with a wide points victory.

Usyk also defined his cruiserweight reign with a majority decision triumph over Mairis Briedis, before moving up in weight and becoming a two-division world champion.

He did so by dethroning Anthony Joshua in 2021, with the Ukrainian then winning their rematch and eventually facing Tyson Fury for all four major heavyweight belts.

Then, this past June, Usyk made the decision to vacate his titles after having become a two-division undisputed champion and secured a harder-than-expected 11th-round stoppage of former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven.

Still, though, the decorated southpaw intends to fight for a short while longer and, according to Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger, has mentioned a Fury trilogy and David Benavidez clash as possible options.

Speaking to Last Stand Podcastunified cruiserweight champion Benavidez said he would gladly face Usyk at his current fighting weight.

“The point I wanted to make when we’re talking about Usyk is: I don’t know if that would be at heavyweight or cruiserweight. Didn’t Usyk relinquish all his belts?

“In my opinion, it would be a bigger fight at cruiserweight because, once I capture this [WBC] title, that would be three belts [on the line]. It would probably be one of the biggest fights in cruiserweight history.”

While a potential Usyk showdown could be explored, Benavidez has already committed to facing WBC champion Michal Cieslak in December and verbally agreed to fight Jai Opetaia next year.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending