Always showing himself to be a keen historian of the sport, Tony Bellew has named who he thinks is the greatest boxing come back of all time.
Bellew is a real student of boxing who has a great knowledge of the history of the sport. He has famously said many times that Roy Jones Jnr is one of his favourite boxers and now he has been asked about who has made the greatest ever return to the sport after taking time out.
Speaking to Boyle Sports, he went with the return of Muhammad Ali after he was banned from fighting for refusing to be conscripted for the Vietnam War effort.
Ali’s last fight of the first part of his career was against Zora Folley in 1967 but then he missed several years before making a winning return in 1970, eventually going on to become a world champion again.
“Muhammad Ali coming out of hiatus is the greatest comeback of all time, after everything that happened with the war after he refused to go to Vietnam, that’s the greatest comeback of all time.”
He was then asked about who is the greatest sportsperson of all time in his view, and went with the same legendary boxer, as well as comparing Ali’s comeback to the upcoming return of MMA star Connor McGregor versus Michael Chandler.
“That’s not up for debate, Muhammad Ali is the greatest sportsman and people who have ever lived, but I do love Conor McGregor. He’s a star and I’ve had the pleasure of being in his company a few times. He’s so lively, he’s the life and soul. He should be so proud of himself to get where he’s got from where he came from .
“It’s a tough fight, I don’t know who wins. I’ll have to see what’s left of him first because he lives an extravagant life, let’s not kid ourselves. It’s hard to get out of bed when you’re wearing silk pyjamas on a Lamborghini yacht. But I give him the ultimate respect.”
McGregor is making his return having recovered from surgery on a broken leg. He has also starred in a movie, Road House, so has not fought for three years. That hiatus ends at UFC 303 in June when he takes on Chandler.
A defeat might well bring about the end of his illustrious career, while this weekend Tyson Fury, who has made a big return to the ring of his own after two years away with mental health issues, is aiming to become the first undisputed champion in 25 years.
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