Larry Holmes, the former heavyweight boxing champion, has claimed he's better than Muhammad Ali. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, Holmes declared himself "the greatest ever," citing his impressive record as proof.
Holmes, who fought 75 times in his career, held the heavyweight title for seven and a half years and defended it 20 times. He beat some of the best fighters of his era, including Muhammad Ali, Gerry Cooney, Trevor Berbick, Earnie Shavers, and Ken Norton.
Holmes' style was inspired by Ali's, and many saw similarities between the two. But Holmes thinks he took it further. He told Sky Sports:
"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."
Ali is often called the greatest heavyweight of all time. He was champion three times and ruled the division from 1974 to 1978. He fought legendary battles against Joe Frazier, Sonny Liston, and George Foreman in his 61-fight career.
One of Ali's most famous nights came in "The Rumble in the Jungle" against Foreman. Ali won by stoppage in the eighth round, using his famous "rope-a-dope" tactic.
But Holmes thinks his achievements stack up better. He said:
"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 did beat Ali in 1980, but it wasn't a fair fight. It was Ali's second-to-last bout, and he was well past his best. Holmes dominated and became the only man to stop Ali, who retired at the end of the tenth round.
You can watch Holmes' full interview with Sky Sports on YouTube, where he makes his case for being the greatest heavyweight boxer ever.
