Legendary trainer Teddy Atlas has named one heavyweight boxer who outshone Muhammad Ali. In a recent statement on his YouTube channel THE FIGHT, Atlas ranked Joe Louis above "The Greatest" as the top heavyweight of all time.
Atlas, known for his expert analysis and training prowess, cited Louis' finishing ability, record-breaking title defenses, and historical impact as reasons for this surprising choice.
Muhammad Ali, often considered the best fighter ever, earned his reputation through unquestionable boxing ability, charisma, and personality. His iconic moment came in 1974 during "The Rumble In The Jungle" against George Foreman. Ali, the underdog, used his famous rope-a-dope style to stop Foreman in the eighth round and regain the heavyweight championship.
Despite Ali's legendary status, Atlas believes Joe Louis deserves the top spot. Atlas explained his reasoning:
"It's my list, he deserves it. The greatest finisher in the history of the heavyweight division. When this man hurts you, say goodnight, say goodbye, say see you later, nice knowing you, start the shower, get the smelling salts, whatever, it was over. You don't have to go to Websters Dictionary to see what annihilation is, just watch the one round of Joe Louis and Max Schmelling on the eve of World War 2."
Louis' career highlights include a record-breaking 25 defenses of the heavyweight title and iconic victories over Max Schmelling and Jersey Joe Walcott. His reign as world heavyweight champion lasted an impressive 12 years, from 1937 to 1949, making it the longest of any fighter in boxing history.
The bout Atlas referred to was Louis' one-round annihilation of Max Schmelling, which took place just before World War II. This fight stands out as a prime example of Louis' devastating finishing ability.
Louis ended his career in 1949, but his impact on the sport remains. His 12-year title reign still stands as the longest of any fighter, intact over 80 years later.
While many might disagree with Atlas' ranking, his assessment highlights the enduring legacy of Joe Louis and adds a fresh perspective to the ongoing debate about the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.
