Muhammad Ali, the man who called himself "The Greatest," once admitted there was a boxer even greater than him: Sugar Ray Robinson.
Ali changed the heavyweight division with his agility, speed, and footwork. He captured the world title in his 20th fight by defeating Sonny Liston and stayed undefeated for seven years. Many thought Ali couldn't be beaten on his best day.
But in a resurfaced interview, Ali praised Robinson's skills across weight classes. He said:
"Pound for pound. When they say Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest fighter, pound for pound, meaning I imagine that if he was a heavyweight fighting the same style, he'd be the greatest. I would have to admit. I would have to say yes. I have his fight films. That man was beautiful. Timing, speed, reflexes, rythym, everything. Even his body, everything twas beautiful. I'd say I'm the greatest heavyweight of all time, but pound for pound I still say Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest of all time."
Robinson, a Georgia native, had an amazing amateur record of 85 wins and no losses. He became the world welterweight champion and won the middleweight title five times. His fights with Jake LaMotta are now boxing legend.
Robinson was a master technician with a perfect mix of speed and power. His style influenced many American fighters who tried to copy his skills and charm.
Ali hung up his gloves too late, coming back for fights against Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick that he shouldn't have taken. But his words about Robinson show how much respect even "The Greatest" had for the man many still call the best boxer ever.
