Legendary analyst Teddy Atlas claims there were only a handful of heavyweights better than the late, great George Foreman.
Foreman, in the eyes of so many, was the most formidable heavyweight to have ever laced up the gloves. During his glittering career, the Texas native won the world heavyweight championship on two occasions.
Atlas, who is one of boxing’s most respected analysts and trainers paid homage to the hard-hitting Texan who took the boxing world by storm in the early 70’s followed by the mid 90’s.
Speaking on his YouTube channel THE FIGHT, Atlas named ‘Big’ George at number 5 in his list of who he believes are the greatest heavyweights of all time.
“Number 5, who better than a man who had two lives, a man who really truly showed us what reincarnation would look like, what it would really look like if you could actually witness it without having to die. That special somebody is George Foreman, Olympic Gold medalist, heavyweight champ, undefeated until he lost to [Muhammad] Ali.”
Despite holding ‘Big’ George in such a high regard, Atlas believes there are four other heavyweights who outshone the man who shocked the world to become heavyweight champion for the second time when he was 45-years-old.
At number four is Rocky Marciano, who retired as the undefeated heavyweight champion in 1956. At number three is Jack Johnson, perhaps one of the most influential boxers of all time. Number two is Muhammad Ali, who in the eyes of many is undoubtedly the greatest fighter of all time, let alone within the heavyweight division.
And at number one, who remains the only fighter in boxing history to make 25 successful world title defences is Joe Louis. ‘The Brown Bomber’ held the world heavyweight championship for 12 consecutive years, defeating the likes of Max Schmeling and Jersey Joe Walcott throughout his incredible reign.
