Bellew made his mark in boxing by winning the cruiserweight world title with a stoppage victory over Ilunga Makabu at Everton Football Club. He later moved up to heavyweight, where he scored two high-profile pay-per-view wins against David Haye. These victories over Haye solidified Bellew's status as a top-tier fighter. His final professional bout was against Oleksandr Usyk at cruiserweight, where he put up a good fight before being stopped.
On August 20, 2024, Bellew took to Twitter to share his opinion on the greatest boxers of all time. He wrote:
"I'd say the greatest boxer ever is RJJr and the greatest man to ever box is Muhammad Ali.."
RJJr refers to Roy Jones Jr., a boxer who mesmerized fans and stunned opponents with his unique style. Jones won a silver medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics and went on to capture titles from middleweight all the way up to heavyweight. His professional record stands at an impressive 66 wins from 76 fights.
Bellew expanded on his choice of Jones as the greatest boxer:
"People will never understand why he's the greatest of all time! Had he retired after this fight it wouldn't even be a question! I don't really care about what happened after this! Going back down from HW was a disaster! This is my [greatest of all time]"
Jones was known for his ability to throw shots from all angles, with his trademark leaping left hook often catching opponents off guard.
As for the greatest man to ever box, Bellew named Muhammad Ali. Ali earned the title "The Greatest" not just for his epic battles against legends like Joe Frazier and George Foreman, but also for his actions outside the ring. He famously refused to be drafted for the Vietnam War and continued his social and political activism throughout his life.
Bellew's choices reflect both in-ring brilliance and out-of-ring impact, showcasing the different ways a boxer can leave a lasting legacy in the sport. His insights provide fans with food for thought as they consider their own rankings of boxing's all-time greats.