Emanuel Steward is widely regarded as one of the greatest trainers of all time.
Legendary Kronk Gym founder Steward worked with elite heavyweights such as Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko, helping the duo become the number one heavyweights in the world during separate eras.
When it comes to once naming in an interview the most underrated heavyweight of all time though, Steward went with a man who defended his world title on 20 occasions.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Larry Holmes entry into the heavyweight [history books] is definitely hampered by him falling in between two of the most two of the most charismatic fighters in the history of our sport, meaning Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. Nobody thinks so much about Larry Holmes.
“Larry Holmes’ left jab alone, his speed, the stamina, determination and ability to recuperate, he would’ve been a threat to anybody. That left jab was almost a machine by itself, he didn’t have to have too much more than that.
“I think, style-wise, he would’ve been a problem particularly for George Foreman … People overlook him cause he came on at a time people was caught up in Ali’s image and after that you had Mike coming along … The most underappreciated heavyweight ever in history.”
Holmes was world heavyweight champion from 1978 to 1985, famously defeating Muhammad Ali during that reign.
‘The Easton Assasin’ also shared the ring with the likes of Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield during his career, which came to an end on 2002 with a final record of 69 wins and 6 defeats.
