Not Muhammad Ali: Boxing legend George Foreman named the greatest boxer of all time

George Foreman, one of the most iconic heavyweights in boxing history, shared his pick for the greatest boxer of all time—and it’s not his legendary rival Muhammad Ali. Known for their historic “Rumble in the Jungle” clash, Foreman shocked fans by pointing to a different name when asked to crown the best ever.

Though Big George passed away this past March at the age of 76, his legacy as a two-time heavyweight champion and a fighter with a stellar 76-5 record grants his opinion undeniable weight. And in his eyes, there’s one man who sits at the top of boxing’s Mount Olympus: Joe Louis.

Nicknamed “The Brown Bomber,” Joe Louis held the heavyweight title for over 11 years—from 1937 to 1949—a reign that remains unmatched in boxing history. In a 2021 post on X (formerly Twitter), Foreman declared: “The best boxer I ever saw was Joe Louis. No one has surpassed him. Well-taught and gifted condition.”

Joe Louis in training for the fight against Jersey Joe Walcott. (Allsport UK/ALLSPORT)

He doubled down on that stance in 2022, saying: “[Joe] Louis was champion for 11 years. I might change my list every year, but Joe Louis is always No. 1.” Foreman also praised Louis’s sheer punching power, noting in another post: “Joe Louis was the hardest puncher. Liston and Lennox Lewis are up there too.”

Foreman’s controversial all-time Top 5 heavyweights

While Joe Louis topped Foreman’s ranking without debate, the rest of his Top 5 stirred controversy, especially for who didn’t make the cut. Absent were names like Mike Tyson and Joe Frazier—both considered all-time greats.

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Instead, Foreman ranked Jack Johnson second, the first Black heavyweight champion who reigned from 1908 to 1915. Third was the undefeated Rocky Marciano, followed by Muhammad Ali, who famously defeated Foreman in 1974. Rounding out his list was Evander Holyfield, another rival who shared the ring with Foreman in his storied career.