Emanuel Steward, the legendary boxing trainer, picked Muhammad Ali as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. Steward made this choice despite working with champions like Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko.
Steward's career in boxing was long and successful. He started at the famous Kronk Gym in Detroit, where he trained Thomas Hearns. Later, he guided Lennox Lewis to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. Lewis went on to beat big names like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. Steward also helped Wladimir Klitschko rule the heavyweight division for nearly a decade. Klitschko scored wins over David Haye, Alexander Povetkin, and Kubrat Pulev during his reign.
Even with these achievements, Steward still thought Ali was the best. He explained his choice in an interview:
"Not so much the skill, you've got to look at your performance against the best. He fought some of the best in their prime, so Ali would be number one."
Ali's career was full of big moments. He won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. In his 20th pro fight, he beat Sonny Liston to become world heavyweight champion. He also had famous wins over George Foreman and Joe Frazier.
Many boxing fans agree with Steward's pick. Ali is often called the greatest heavyweight ever. He once named his toughest opponent, but that name wasn't mentioned in this story.
Steward's opinion carries a lot of weight because of his experience. He worked closely with some of the best heavyweights in recent history. His Kronk Gym in Detroit was a boxing landmark, and his legacy in the sport remains strong.
