Evander Holyfield, the only boxer to win the world heavyweight championship four times, says he's greater than Muhammad Ali. In a recent interview with Seconds Out, Holyfield challenged the widely held view of Ali as the best heavyweight boxer ever.
Holyfield argued his case strongly, pointing to his unique achievements in the ring. He said:
"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. You can't talk about it until you break someone's record, they don't say nothing about me. How do you cut somebody out of history? 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 certainly backs up his claims. He won his first world title in 1986, beating Dwight Muhammad Qawi for the WBA cruiserweight belt. Two years later, he became the undisputed cruiserweight champion by defeating Carlos De Leon.
In 1990, Holyfield knocked out Buster Douglas to become the undisputed heavyweight champion. He went on to defend his titles against George Foreman in 1991, winning by unanimous decision. After losing his belts, he regained the heavyweight title in 1993 by beating Riddick Bowe.
One of Holyfield's most famous wins came in 1996 when he stopped Mike Tyson in the 11th round. This upset victory cemented his place in boxing history.
Holyfield ended his career with an impressive record of 44 wins (29 by knockout), 10 losses, 2 draws, and 1 no contest. He was the first fighter to win undisputed championships in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.
Ali, known as "The Greatest," also had a remarkable career. He won Olympic gold in 1960 and his first world heavyweight title in 1964 by stopping Sonny Liston. After a forced break from boxing for refusing to enlist in the US Military during the Vietnam War, Ali returned in 1970. He regained the world heavyweight championship in 1974, stopping George Foreman in the famous "Rumble in the Jungle."
While Ali's impact on boxing and popular culture is undeniable, Holyfield's achievements in the ring are certainly worth considering. His status as a four-time heavyweight champion and undisputed champion in two weight classes sets him apart in boxing history.
