Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest fighters of all time, pinpointed his 1966 fight against Cleveland Williams as the moment he was at his absolute best in the ring.
Ali's career saw him conquer legendary heavyweight fighters and hold the undisputed heavyweight championship for four years starting in 1974. He's well known for his iconic victory against George Foreman in the 'Rumble In The Jungle' and his battles with Joe Frazier and Sonny Liston.
But when asked about his peak performance, Ali's answer might surprise some fans. In Donald McRae's feature on the 50th anniversary of the Rumble In The Jungle, Ali reflected on his career:
"The fight when I was at my best as a boxer was against Cleveland Williams."
Ali faced Williams on November 14, 1966, at the Astrodome in Houston. The bout marked Ali's 8th defense of his first reign as world heavyweight champion. Ali won by knockout in the third round, showcasing his speed and skill.
Cleveland Williams, while not as widely recognized as some of Ali's other opponents, was no pushover. He's considered one of the great fighters to never win a world title. Williams retired in 1972 after just shy of 100 professional contests.
Ali went on to successfully defend his title two more times after the Williams fight. But he didn't just rate fights based on his own performance. When asked about other memorable bouts, Ali said:
"The fight that was the best for fans was against Joe Frazier in Manila. But the fight that meant the most to me was beating George Foreman to win the championship of the world again."
The Rumble In The Jungle has taken on an iconic status in boxing history, but it's interesting to hear Ali's personal perspective on his career highlights. His ability to distinguish between his best technical performance, the most entertaining fight for fans, and his most meaningful victory shows the depth of his boxing knowledge and self-awareness.
Ali's reflections offer a unique insight into the career of one of boxing's greatest champions, reminding us that a fighter's own assessment of their performances can differ from public perception.
