Ali’s place in boxing history has long been secure. The heavyweight icon retired with a 56-5 record and victories over Hall of Famers such as Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Sonny Liston, and Ken Norton. Beyond his achievements in the ring, Ali became one of the most influential athletes in the world and remains one of boxing’s most recognizable figures.
Asked who he considers boxing’s greatest fighter of all time, Spence didn’t hesitate.
“Muhammad Ali,” he told Premier Boxing Champions.
The answer placed Ali ahead of another fighter frequently mentioned at the top of all-time rankings: Sugar Ray Robinson.
Many boxing historians consider Robinson the greatest pound-for-pound fighter in history. The former welterweight and middleweight champion compiled an astonishing professional record of 174-19-6 with 109 knockouts and scored victories over 10 Hall of Famers during his career.
Robinson defeated legends such as Jake LaMotta and Kid Gavilan while also avenging his lone middleweight defeat against Randolph Turpin.
Spence was also asked about other all-time boxing categories. For the greatest jab, he selected heavyweight champion Larry Holmes and former two-division titleholder Junior Jones. When the conversation turned to punching power, Spence named Ken Norton, Mike Tyson, and Julian Jackson among the hardest punchers he could remember.
But when it came to the sport’s ultimate question, Spence needed only one name.
For him, Muhammad Ali stands above everyone else.
