No athlete is untouchable.
Someone will always try to argue that LeBron James is better than Kobe Bryant, Kobe is greater than Michael Jordan or MJ is greater than Bill Russell. Each angle has valid arguments in its defense.
But Muhammad Ali? As far as boxing lore is concerned, he’s the greatest of all time. Even Floyd Mayweather’s strongest supporters might concede that debate.
Just don’t ask Mayweather himself.
In an all-access interview with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, the 47-0 fighter set the record straight.
“No one can ever brainwash me to make me believe that Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali was better than me. No one could ever brainwash me and tell me that,” Mayweather told ESPN. “But one thing I will do — I’m going to take my hat off to them and respect those guys because those are the guys that paved the way for me to be where I’m at today.”
Mayweather further defends his stance by pointing out that Ali lost to Leon Spinks, who only had seven fights under his belt at the time, and that Ali’s victory over George Foreman was — in Mayweather’s opinion — bush-league.
As with any “all-time” debate, Mayweather’s argument has holes in it. Nonetheless, you have to admire his confidence.
The entire feature is pretty cool, and filled with other hot takes, so definitely give it a watch.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@brookly_smith
