Evander Holyfield says he's the best boxer ever, even better than Muhammad Ali. The former heavyweight champ made this bold claim in a recent chat with Seconds Out.
Holyfield, known as "The Real Deal," believes his accomplishments in the ring top those of Ali, who many call "The Greatest." He's got some strong reasons to back up his claim.
"I'm the only four-time heavyweight champion of the world but they are still talking about Ali when I broke his record. I've been the only four-time heavyweight champion of the world for 24 years," Holyfield said.
He didn't stop there. Holyfield pointed out another achievement that sets him apart:
"Now I didn't even know I was the first person to be undisputed in two weight divisions, until Usyk did it. They keep saying Ali is the best fighter, no I am. He was three times, I'm four."
Holyfield's career was indeed impressive. In 1990, he knocked out Buster Douglas to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. He went on to rule the division for years, cementing his place in boxing history.
But Ali's legacy is hard to top. He burst onto the scene in the early 1960s, winning Olympic gold in Rome in 1960. Four years later, he shocked the world by beating Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title.
Ali defended his title nine times against tough opponents like Cleveland Williams and Henry Cooper. After a three-year break, he came back strong in 1970.
In 1974, Ali pulled off one of boxing's biggest upsets. He knocked out George Foreman in the eighth round of "The Rumble in the Jungle" to regain the heavyweight crown.
While Holyfield's career was great, he's rarely put at the top of the all-time heavyweight list. Still, fans and experts around the world give him lots of credit for his amazing achievements in the ring.
So, who's the greatest? That debate will likely rage on. But one thing's for sure - both Holyfield and Ali left their mark on boxing history.
