Muhammad Ali Named 1 Heavyweight That Would Have 'Annihilated' Prime Mike Tyson

Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson would make the Mount Rushmore of most boxers and boxing fans, especially when it comes to the heavyweight division.

Tyson, who debuted just four years after Ali retired in 1981, became the youngest world heavyweight champion in 1986, at just the age of 20. With their respective eras coming almost back-to-back, it has naturally led to ceaseless debates about who would beat who in a fight between Ali and Tyson in their prime.

Muhammad Ali Backed Mike Tyson Against Himself

Ali honestly claimed that Iron Mike would've won a superfight between the pair

"I'm scared of him. He is a real champ," admitted Ali. "I was a dancing master. I wasn't that powerful, but I was so fast." Ali then went on to comment about Tyson's considerable power. He also suggested that if Tyson had caught him with a clean punch, the fight would've been over very quickly.

For many, Ali's admission might be enough to settle the GOAT debate. However, The Greatest threw another spanner in the works by naming the one fighter that could go toe-to-toe with a prime Tyson, and even knock him out.

Muhammad Ali Revealing Heavyweight Who Would Have Beaten Mike Tyson

He didn't back himself, but he backed a fellow heavyweight

In an interview with The Seattle Times in 1990, Ali claimed that George Foreman was more than capable of downing Tyson.

At the time of the interview, Foreman was deep into his impressive comeback, having initially retired in 1977. He was on a 21-fight winning streak since making his return to the ring in 1987, and his remarkable return set negotiations in motion for a superfight with Tyson, but sadly the fight never came to fruition.

Foreman lost his 100% record at the hands of Ali in the famous 'Rumble in the Jungle' in 1974. KO'd in the eighth round, it brought an end to his 40-fight winning streak and made Ali heavyweight champion for the second time.