Emanuel Steward knew a thing or two when it came to elite heavyweights.
Having notably worked with Thomas Hearns, the Kronk Gym trainer then turned his attention to heavyweights, beginning what would turn out to be a successful relationship with Lennox Lewis.
Under Steward’s guidance, Lewis would become undisputed heavyweight champion, claiming victories over the likes of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.
After partnering with Lewis, Steward then began working with Ukrainian great Wladimir Klitschko, in what turned out to be another memorable partnership.
Klitschko became a long-time unified heavyweight champion, ruling the division for close to a decade and beating fighters such as David Haye, Alexander Povetkin and Kubrat Pulev.
When asked by Bokser to name the greatest heavyweight of all time though, neither Lewis or Klitschko was the answer for Steward, as he chose another legendary fighter.
“I would say Ali. 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.”
Steward isn’t alone in his assesment, with Ali viewed by many as being the greatest heavyweight of all time.
After winning a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, Ali would turn professional, and it didn’t take him long to make an impact, becoming world heavyweight champion in his 20th fight with a victory over Sonny Liston.
Ali also claimed iconic victories over the likes of George Foreman and Joe Frazier throughout his illustrious career, and he once named who was his toughest ever opponent.
