Keen boxing historian and pundit Tony Bellew has named who he thinks is the greatest fighter of all-time and is in no mood to discuss his pick.
Liverpudlian former cruiserweight world champion Bellew knows the sport inside out and is never afraid to express his views on the biggest issues in boxing whether past or present.
This week, following Callum Smith’s knockout loss to Artur Beterbiev, Bellew has expressed his shock at the strength and abilities of ‘the beast’ seemingly getting better despite the Russian light heavyweight king now being 38 years old.
This week, IFL TV posed the question on X of who would win a fantasy light heavyweight Super Six tournament between Roy Jones Jr, Dmitry Bivol, Joe Calzaghe, Beterbiev, Adonis Stevenson and Andre Ward and Bellew was quick to answer.
In a post on X, he went with the American multi-weight champion, Roy Jones Jr.
“I believe RJJr is the greatest fighter of all time when he defeated John Ruiz! If he walks away after that night he’s the [G.O.A.T] for everyone.. His offence and speed was off the chart!”
He then reiterated his views in a follow-up post on X.
“If this man retires after the Ruiz fight it’s not even up for debate who the [G.O.A.T] is! In his prime this man was the most formidable force I’ve ever seen! What he was able to do was just insane! An offence that was impossible to stop!”
The four-weight world champion is the only fighter in history to start his career at super welterweight before going on to win a heavyweight title – the Ruiz bout Bellew refers to. His mix of speed and power dazzled fans and has built a record of 66 wins from 76 fights, 47 by stoppage.