Muhammad Ali Admitted That Even At His Very Best He Still Would Have Lost To One Heavyweight Legend

Known as ‘The Greatest’, Ali rose to superstardom in 1964 when he defeated Sonny Liston to capture the world heavyweight championship for the first time. He triumphed in their rematch just over one year later before going on to make eight successful defences of his crown.

His 1974 showdown against George Foreman, which was billed as ‘ The Rumble In The Jungle’, remains one of the most iconic moments in boxing folklore. Going into the fight as a heavy underdog, Ali put on a sensational display to knock ‘Big’ George out in the eighth round to reclaim the heavyweight championship in Kinshasa, Zaire.

In spite of what he achieved throughout his glittering career, ‘The Greatest’ once admitted there was one fighter that would have prevailed against him if they had clashed at any point.

In a clip shared on YouTube, Ali spoke highly of ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson and when asked who would have won in their primes, Ali pointed to Tyson and praised his power.

“I’m scared of him. He’s a real champ. [Tyson would have won], I was a dancing master. You are that powerful and so fast, if you hit me [then I hit the canvas].”

Tyson’s rollercoaster career began in 1985, shortly after he drew the curtain on an impressive amateur tenure. The 58-year-old from New York City knocked out Trevor Berbick in devastating fashion in the second round of their 1986 bout as he captured the WBC heavyweight title at just 20-years-old.

‘Iron’ Mike made nine defences of his crown, defeating the likes of Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks and Frank Bruno, before he tasted defeat for the first time at the hands of James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990. Despite facing a number of personal challenges in the later stages of his career, Tyson remains one of boxing’s greatest ever heavyweights.