Larry Holmes has revealed who he believes to be the greatest heavyweight to have ever graced the sport.
Known as ‘The Easton Assassin’, Holmes is often considered to be one of the sports greatest ever heavyweights, reigning as the world heavyweight champion for seven years between 1978 and 1985.
Holmes possessed one of the greatest left jabs in boxing history, which played a crucial role in his dominance at the peak of his career.
He racked up a number of impressive victories throughout the course of his storied professional career, defeating the likes of Trevor Berbick, Leon Spinks and the man known as ‘The Greatest’ – Muhammad Ali.
In an interview with Sky Sports Boxing, Holmes was tasked with naming who he believes is the greatest heavyweight of all time, where he claims he actually ranks himself ahead of Ali in a shock statement.
“Everyone said I was just a copy of Muhammad Ali, just because I idolised they guy, he hit, boxed, moved around and looked good, I like his style, I copied some of his styles, his jabs and moves and whatnot and I bettered it.
I don’t get the recognition that I should get, like a Mike Tyson. Hey listen, I had 20 title defences, Mike Tyson had three or four and lost, I was champion for seven and a half years, he was champion for seven months, they don’t want to recognise me. Ali don’t have the fight record that I have with defending the title, he didn’t hold his title for seven and a half years. Why can’t I fit in that box, why does Muhammad Ali have to be the greatest, he can say he’s the greatest, you can say he’s the greatest, but I know different, I’m the greatest.”
‘The Easton Assassin’ became the only fighter to stop Ali when they clashed in the penultimate bout of the latter’s career in October of 1980, although Holmes did receive criticism for facing his fellow countryman when he did, after it was revealed that Ali’s health had begin to deteriorate prior to their showdown in Las Vegas.
