Legendary boxing analyst Teddy Atlas has ranked George Foreman as the fifth-best heavyweight boxer of all time. Atlas shared his top five list on his YouTube channel THE FIGHT, placing only four other fighters above the late, great Texan.
Foreman's career spanned two remarkable eras. In the early 1970s, he won the world heavyweight championship and an Olympic Gold medal. He remained undefeated until his loss to Muhammad Ali. Then, in the mid-1990s, he made a stunning comeback, becoming heavyweight champion for a second time at the age of 45.
On his YouTube channel, Atlas explained his decision to rank Foreman fifth:
"Number 5, who better than a man who had two lives, a man who really truly showed us what reincarnation would look like, what it would really look like if you could actually witness it without having to die. That special somebody is George Foreman, Olympic Gold medalist, heavyweight champ, undefeated until he lost to [Muhammad] Ali."
Many consider Foreman one of the most formidable heavyweights in boxing history. However, Atlas placed four other boxing legends ahead of him in his rankings.
At number four, Atlas named Rocky Marciano, who retired as the undefeated heavyweight champion in 1956. Jack Johnson, one of the most influential boxers of all time, took the third spot.
Muhammad Ali, often considered the greatest fighter of all time, came in second on Atlas's list.
Atlas crowned Joe Louis, known as "The Brown Bomber," as the greatest heavyweight of all time. Louis held the world heavyweight championship for an incredible 12 consecutive years and made 25 successful title defenses - a record that still stands today. His notable victories included wins over Max Schmeling and Jersey Joe Walcott.
Atlas's rankings serve as a tribute to Foreman and highlight the incredible legacy of heavyweight boxing's greatest champions.
