While many people view Muhammad Ali or Sugar Ray Robinson as the greatest of all time, Teddy Atlas does not agree.
Ali’s achievements speak for themselves, having become a three-time world heavyweight champion after iconic victories over the likes of George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Sonny Liston.
His legacy is just as important outside of the ring as it is inside of it, with his role in a number of movements helping him become a global cultural icon.
Robinson’s remarkable career is just as legendary, becoming a long-time welterweight champion along with a five-time middleweight champion during his tenure.
He finished with an incredible record of 174 wins, 19 losses, 6 draws and 2 no contests, and at one stage had a record of 129-1-2 having gone on a 91-fight unbeaten streak.
Despite the success of both Ali and Robinson, top analyst Atlas once revealed that when it comes to the greatest fighter of all time, he looks no further than Henry Armstrong.
“My favourite fighter of all time. He defended the welterweight title 18 times in 27 months! You’ll never have a man like this again. Fought at featherweight, welterweight, and then (for) the lightweight title, wins all three titles within 10 months.”
Armstrong’s career began in 1931 and ended in 1945, and he was the only fighter ever to simultaneously hold world titles in three divisions, after reigning at featherweight, lightweight and welterweight.
His final record stood at 151 wins, 21 losses and 9 draws, 101 of those victories coming by knockout, and it is clear to see just why Atlas holds him in such high regard.
