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Muhammad Ali singled out one man as his toughest opponent ever: ‘He was a truly great heavyweight’

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Muhammad Ali singled out one man as his toughest ever opponent: “He was a truly great heavyweight”

Muhammad Ali was never compact of options when asked to name the toughest opponent he had ever faced.

The career of “The Greatest” is filled with historic moments, high-octane dramas and a litany of warriors eager to knock his ego to the ground. For 21 years and 61 fights, he traveled the world fighting everyone including Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Ken Norton.

But in an interview for “Ring” magazine. in the “Best I Faced” series, Ali revealed the man he considered the toughest – a fighter who would today be called “the baddest man in the world” – Sonny Liston.

“The hardest fight would be my fight against Sonny Liston when I won the title in 1964.

I was teenage and a great admirer of Liston’s talent. He could do almost anything except dance.

Liston had a powerful jab, could punch with both hands, was intelligent in the ring and was as robust as any heavyweight I had ever seen…

I still respect him as one of the truly greatest heavyweights of all time.”

Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, did everything he could by word of mouth to weaken Liston in the preparations.

“He was ugly too. In and out of the ring. Being a massive (8-1) underdog and going crazy at the weigh-in made everyone think I was scared to death.”

However, in the ring, Ali proved otherwise. Liston was no match for the challenger’s exceptional skills. However, at the end of the fourth and fifth rounds, Ali complained that his eyes were burning, blaming irritation caused by something on Liston’s gloves.

At the end of the sixth round, Liston failed to advance to the next round, retired on his stool, and crowned Ali as the up-to-date heavyweight champion. A year later they met again. Ali was victorious once again, but further controversy surrounded the rematch courtesy of a “phantom punch”.

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Boxing

Jarrell Miller Targets Long-Awaited Heavyweight Fight After Pero Victory: ‘Let’s Do It’

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Jarrell Miller targets long awaited heavyweight fight after Pero win: “Let’s make it happen”

Jarrell Miller defeated Lenier Pero this weekend at Las Vega to fulfill his world champion dreams, although he may first want to end a long-running feud beyond the title picture

The controversial American heavyweight fighter defeated Olympian Pero over the distancelanding an incredible number of punches en route to a clear unanimous decision victory.

Although winning the final elimination puts him close to a chance to fight champion Oleksandr Usyk, after the fight Miller saw the appeal of an all-American fight with Deontay Wilder.

I’m talking to Fighting Hub TV“Substantial Baby” called for the fight to continue.

“I think if the fans call him out enough, they’ll want to make this fight happen. Everyone says Deontay will beat me, knock me out – there’s only one way to find out. He’s been knocked out multiple times, I haven’t. Let’s make this fight happen. We’re two of the top American heavyweights. We can both get people tuned in. Me and my brilliant speech, him and his weird, dramatic speeches and entrances… I think it would be fun.”

With Miller unlikely to be on Usyk’s radar as the Ukrainian only has a narrow number of fights remaining before he retires, Wilder presents an opportunity to settle a dispute – including claims related to weighty sparring and personal grievances – that has been brewing for years.

Wilder revitalized his career earlier this year with a hard-fought victory over Derek Chisora ​​and will likely miss the opportunity to fight Anthony Joshua as the Briton focuses on a warm-up fight for his fight with Tyson Fury.

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Ryan Garcia signals doubts about Benn’s fight, calling Rolly to reserve

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Image: Ryan Garcia Won’t Accept Terms For Stevenson Fight

In recent comments, Garcia said that Benn is the fight he wants. At the same time, he openly announced the emergency plan.

“If Conor doesn’t want it, we’ll go back to it with Rolly,” Ryan Garcia told Ring Magazine, referring to Rolando Romero.

That alone was revealing. Players who believe that an agreement is imminent tend to limit their message. When alternative opponents are publicly mentioned, it often means that there are still obstacles related to money, timing, broadcasters or promotional control.

Then another wrinkle appeared when Óscar De La Hoya publicly supported a completely different fight.

“I’m most interested in a rematch with Devin Haney,” De La Hoya said, adding that it could be massive enough to accommodate Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Now Garcia’s public trail includes three separate names: Benn, Romero and Devin Haney. Rarely does a finalized fight sound like this.

Benn’s matchup still makes sense on paper. Benn has become one of the more recognizable names in the UK and has now added to his profile after signing with Zuffa Boxing. Garcia remains one of boxing’s biggest social media attractions and continues to attract attention regardless of the results.

Put these names together and you have clear commercial value.

But picking a fight and liking the fight are two different things. Garcia has ties to the Golden Boy. Benn’s modern setting creates fresh business layers. Place also matters. An event in the US, an event in the UK, or support from Saudi Arabia would change the economy.

This helps explain why backup options are already provided.

A rematch with Haney also remains valuable as unfinished business continues to sell. Their first meeting generated headlines, controversy and debate. Whether fans loved the event or not, they remember it. In state-of-the-art boxing, remembered fights are often easier to sell than fresh ones.

Meanwhile, Romero proposes the simplest, practical way. It is known, accessible and connected to Garcia’s recent history.

Ryan may really prefer Benn, but preference doesn’t always dictate the schedule. This is usually what promoters, networks and time do.

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Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next

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Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya disagree on who he should fight next

Ryan Garcia and Oscar De La Hoya have offered conflicting perspectives on a potential rematch with Devin Haney, while rumors of a Conor Benn fight become more likely.

Garcia won the welterweight world title in February, dethroning Mario Barrios by unanimous decision following a first-round knockout.

Since then, his name has been most closely linked to Benn, the WBC No. 1 contender at 147 pounds, whose last fight was at 150 pounds against Regis Prograis.

In a recent interview with Fighting Hub TVGarcia confirmed that this is the fight he wants.

“Devin Haney never wanted this. He doesn’t want a rematch at all… [I’m going to return in] August. Can’t wait. I just want Conor [Benn]”

Unlike Garcia, said Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya Fight the noise that he “would like” to make a rematch with Haney a priority.

“I’m most interested in the rematch with Devin Haney. It could be a blockbuster event.

“I would love for this fight to take place in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium – it could be such a substantial fight.

“I believe this fight is the best fight that can be had right now.”

Garcia reached a majority decision against Haney in April 2024, but the result was declared a no contest after he tested positive twice for the banned substance Ostarine. It remains one of the most intriguing fights in boxing, especially considering the doubts surrounding the first result and the fact that it is currently a unification fight in the welterweight ranks.

But it appears Benn will take his shot despite recently signing a contract with Zuffa Boxing, the latest major promotion of the sport whose frontman Dana White has no interest in working with the four customary sanctioning bodies.

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