Bellew, who had a storied career himself, faced tough opponents like Nathan Cleverly and David Haye. He even fought for the undisputed cruiserweight title against Oleksandr Usyk. But his most cherished personal victory came when he climbed off the canvas to knock out Ilunga Makabu for the WBC world cruiserweight title at Everton Football Club.
Despite his own achievements, Bellew couldn't help but marvel at Ali's accomplishment. He shared his thoughts on social media, saying:
"50 years ago to the day that Muhammad Ali went to Kinshasa and dethroned the great George Foreman against all the odds! I believe it's the greatest result of any boxer in any division considering what Foreman did to Frazier and Norton previously.. The people who like boxing watch the greatest documentary ever called "When We Were Kings" and understand the magnitude of the event."
The fight, known as "The Rumble in the Jungle," took place in Kinshasa in October 1974. It drew a crowd of 60,000 people and became one of the most-watched televised events of its time.
Ali employed his famous "rope-a-dope" strategy, allowing Foreman to tire himself out by throwing punches. The plan worked perfectly, and Ali stopped Foreman in the eighth round.
Interestingly, Ali later claimed that Foreman wasn't the hardest puncher he'd ever faced, despite Foreman's fearsome reputation.
Bellew recommends watching the documentary "When We Were Kings" for those who want to grasp the full significance of the event. The film captures the enormity of Ali's achievement and the cultural impact of the fight.
As we look back on this historic bout 50 years later, it's clear why Bellew and many others consider it the greatest win in boxing history. Ali's victory against all odds continues to inspire and amaze boxing fans around the world.