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YAHOO SPORT EXCLUSIVE: Legendary two-time world heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman talks to Yahoo Sport. “Joe Louis is my number one of all time.”

Ahead of Big George landing in the UK to appear at an event at Arsenal’s football ground this weekend, Yahoo Sport had a quickfire transatlantic chat with one of boxing history’s hardest-hitting punchers about his fondness for the UK, Anthony Joshua, where he ranks himself amongst the all-time great heavyweight champions, was Sonny Liston actually murdered, and more.

Yahoo Sport: You’re in the UK this weekend - do you like coming here?

George Foreman: My most favorite place to travel away from home is the United Kingdom. I love especially London, and I’m pretty excited because I’ll just come and be George Foreman.

YS: Earlier this month, a book called ‘The Murder of Sonny Liston: Las Vegas, Heroin, and Heavyweights’ was published, in which it’s claimed that Sonny didn’t die of an overdose, but was murdered. Do you have any thoughts on that theory?

GF: The good thing about Sonny Liston is there will be questions, and a lot of answers, and more questions because of the last answered. But in reality, no-one knows about what happened to Sonny Liston, but Sonny Liston.

YS: If you were at your peak right now, would you be the best boxer on the planet? Are there any boxers you’d be wary of fighting?

GF: I would be wary of fighting Deontay Wilder because he’s so reckless. I think he is probably one of the best heavyweights offensively around, and at the peak of my career I certainly would not want to fight him.

YS: At which position do you rank yourself in the all-time great heavyweight boxers?

GF: If I had to rate all the heavyweights, Joe Louis is my number one pick of all time. After that, Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield, Jack Johnson and, of course, the great John L, Sullivan, who was the first heavyweight champion of the United States. I don’t rate highly! I really don’t.

YS: What’s the best thing in your life?

GF: I’ve received a lot of things and achieved a lot of accomplishments, but the best thing that ever happened to me were my children.

YS: If you could have drinks with three boxers from history, who would they be?

GF: Joe Louis number one; I would love to do dinner, lunch or breakfast, anything, just to say I was with him. Sonny Liston, a true celebrity, and of course Muhammad Ali.

YS: Do you find modern boxing and modern boxers exciting?

GF: I think modern boxers are as equally as exciting as the older days. It’s just that they are not written about as much; they suffer not because of their talent, but because the reporters don’t write about them.

YS: What’s the best punch you’ve ever seen?

GF: The best punch I ever saw, happened to me! (George laughs.) It was really quick! It was a LIGHTNING right-hand to my chin from Muhammad Ali.

YS: Who’s ever hit you the hardest?

GF: Ron Lyle, one of the top contenders in the ‘70s, Ron Lyle!

YS: What’s the greatest fight you’ve ever seen?

GF: A fight that I was actually a witness to: Frazier v Ali, the first fight. That was the most exciting night of boxing I’ve ever had in my life.

YS: What is your top tip for any young, aspiring boxers?

GF: I always tell young boxers to get in the best condition they can get in! Don’t spare anything. Don’t spare you body; if it’s going to get punished, let it be done in training.

George Foreman will be appearing at “Experience the Unforgettable” on Saturday 29th October at Emirates Stadium, London. Johnny Nelson will host a special night with the Olympic Gold Medal-winning and two-time heavyweight champion of the world. For ticket information, please visit: www.simplyprestigeevents.com