Legendary heavyweight Larry Holmes has revealed who he believes is the standout fighter in his former division.
Holmes dominated the blue ribbon division in the first half of the 1980s, holding the Ring Magazine and lineal titles from 1980-1985, the WBC world championship from 1978 – 1985 and the inaugural IBF belt from 1983 – 1995.
When asked by All Out Fighting if he believed the consensus that Tyson Fury is the number one heavyweight currently was correct, “The Easton Assassin” agreed, but also gave props to former Fury foe Deontay Wilder.
“Yeah [he’s the best right now]. I think him and Wilder are the best two. But I don’t want to judge nobody.”
“But they wouldn’t have made it in our era. With me on the top? They couldn’t do it. We had to fight everybody, we didn’t get no breaks.”
The last of Holmes comments will no doubt resonate with boxing fans, who are growing ever more frustrated with Fury’s inability to agree terms for an undisputed world title fight with Oleksandr Usyk.
After months of negotiations fell through for the fight this spring, news broke from promoter Frank Warren last month that his charge Fury and Usyk would also not be facing off in Saudi Arabia in December, as had been reported.
‘The Gypsy King’ instead looks set to take on former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou – who has never boxed professionally – in an exhibition bout.
News of the crossover fight has been ill received by traditional boxing fans, though the event will still no doubt be a huge commercial success and thus pave the way for future clashes of a similar nature.