Evander Holyfield, the only four-time heavyweight champion in boxing history, believes he should be recognized as the division’s true all-time best - not Muhammad Ali. Speaking with Seconds Out at the Ring Magazine Awards in London, the 60-year-old former champ expressed frustration that his historic accomplishments haven’t received their due. "I’m the only four-time heavyweight champion of the world, but they’re still talking about Ali when I broke his record," Holyfield said. "They’ve not said nothing about me."
Holyfield’s gripe stems from the fact that Ali won the world title three times, while he claims four separate heavyweight reigns. He points to how many rank Ali as the greatest due to his status as a three-time champ and groundbreaking cultural icon. Holyfield says that should be overshadowed by his own résumé of beating giants like Buster Douglas, Riddick Bowe, George Foreman, and others - often giving away weight in the process.
Critics counter that the quality of opposition matters more than the sheer number of title runs. They note that Ali faced a unified field with just one championship title to capture. Holyfield, on the other hand, could potentially collect multiple belts in each reign. Nevertheless, Holyfield’s complaint underscores a desire for more recognition - acknowledgment that beating opponents such as Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe repeatedly was no small feat, and we agree with this.
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