Ryan Garcia and Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez have stirred up the boxing world with their recent comments about the greatest boxer of all time. Both fighters left out Mike Tyson from their lists, sparking a new round of debate among fans and experts.
Canelo Alvarez, while in Saudi Arabia preparing for his upcoming fight against William Scull, shared his thoughts with DAZN Boxing. The Mexican superstar named Muhammad Ali as the boxing GOAT, skipping over other legendary names like Tyson.
Ryan Garcia, known for his outspoken nature, also weighed in on the topic. In a chat with Emily Austin on DAZN Boxing, Garcia snubbed his former stablemate Canelo as the best pound-for-pound fighter, giving that title to Terence Crawford instead. When it came to the all-time greatest, Garcia picked Sugar Ray Robinson.
Robinson's career spanned from 1940 to 1965, and his record speaks for itself. He racked up 174 wins, with 109 of those coming by knockout. He only lost 19 times and drew 6 in his long career.
At 25, Robinson became the welterweight champion in 1946 and defended the title five times. He then moved up to middleweight, where he won the championship an impressive five times between 1951 and 1960.
One of Robinson's most famous rivalries was with Jake LaMotta. The two fought six times, with Robinson coming out on top in five of those bouts.
Robinson's impact on boxing went beyond his impressive record. He had a revolutionary style that combined speed, power, and a unique flair. His influence reached far and wide, even inspiring Muhammad Ali.
Ali himself once said about Robinson:
"Sugar Ray Robinson was the greatest, pound for pound, of all time. He had it all: speed, power, style and a piston punch. I was inspired by him, but I could never be Sugar Ray."
The debate over boxing's GOAT will likely continue for years to come. While current stars like Garcia and Alvarez have their opinions, it's clear that legends like Robinson and Ali will always be part of the conversation.
