Evander Holyfield says he, not Muhammad Ali, is the greatest heavyweight of all time, citing that he is the only man in history to win the world heavyweight title four times.
Holyfield made the case in an interview with Seconds Out, arguing he has been “cut out of history” despite holding that record for more than two decades.
Ali is widely regarded as the finest heavyweight the sport has produced, thanks in part to iconic wins over George Foreman in the “Rumble in the Jungle” and Joe Frazier in the “Thrilla in Manila.” He reigned as world heavyweight champion three times.
Holyfield, who broke that mark, believes the historical record does not reflect what he achieved.
I’m the only four-time heavyweight champion of the world but they are still talking about Ali when I broke his record. I’ve been the only four-time heavyweight champion of the world for 24 years,” Holyfield said.
You can’t talk about it until you break someone’s record, they don’t say nothing about me. How do you cut somebody out of history? Now I didn’t even know I was the first person to be undisputed in two weight divisions, until Usyk did it.
He added:
They keep saying Ali is the best fighter, no I am. He was three times, I’m four.
Holyfield’s resume backs up the grievance. He was undisputed cruiserweight champion before moving up to heavyweight and doing it again, beating names such as Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, George Foreman and Larry Holmes across his career.
Now retired since 2011, Holyfield finished with a professional record of 44 wins, 10 losses and two draws, with 29 wins by knockout. He holds no active world titles or rankings and is treated as a retired former champion rather than a contender.