A retired five-division world champion is convinced he is even greater than Muhammad Ali.
Perhaps best known as ‘The Greatest’, Ali is considered to be one of, if not the greatest fighter in boxing history. His undeniable legacy, infamous fighting style and undying charisma set him apart from the rest.
His professional career commenced back in 1960, shortly after he claimed Olympic gold at the Summer games in Rome that same year. Just four years after his debut, Ali defeated Sonny Liston via sixth round stoppage to capture the world heavyweight championship for the first time.
Ali went on to enjoy a number of legacy defining victories throughout the course of his tenure, defeating the likes of Joe Frazier, Ken Norton and ‘Big’ George Foreman amongst many others.
One fighter who enjoyed an incredible career of his own was Floyd Mayweather Jr, who has sensationally claimed that he is in fact a better fighter than the late-great heavyweight icon.
Speaking to ESPN, Mayweather staked his claim for being the greatest fighter ever, claiming he will not be ‘brainwashed’ into thinking Ali was a better fighter than he ever was.
“No one can ever brainwash me to make me believe that Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali were better than me. No disrespect to Muhammad Ali but he did it in one division. I just look at Ali’s career when he fought Leon Spinks and lost to a fighter with seven fights.”
Throughout his tenure, Mayweather defeated a number of generational greats including Oscar De La Hoya and Manny Pacquiao. The 48-year-old from Grand Rapids, Michigan drew the curtain on his career after he defeated MMA superstar Conor McGregor 8-years-ago.
