Muhammad Ali once said he couldn't beat Mike Tyson but thought George Foreman would easily defeat him. The boxing legend shared these surprising views about two of the sport's most feared heavyweights.
Ali and Tyson became close friends over the years. Despite their bond, Ali admitted he was scared of Tyson's power and speed. In a candid moment, Ali revealed:
"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 he hit me [mimics falling over]."
Ali fought in the 1960s and 70s, taking part in some of boxing's most iconic fights. He retired in December 1981 at 39 years old. Tyson came onto the scene a few years later, turning pro in March 1985. He quickly made his mark, becoming the youngest world heavyweight champion in 1986 at just 20 years old.
While Ali praised Tyson, he had a different view when it came to George Foreman. In 1990, he told The Seattle Times:
"George Foreman will knock out Mike Tyson. He will annihilate him. Foreman will knock Tyson out in four or five rounds … Foreman is taller, has more reach and Tyson comes right in. Foreman will use his reach and wait for Tyson to come right in. Then, Foreman will tag him. The longer it goes, the more chances Foreman will have to tag him."
Ali knew Foreman's power firsthand. They fought in the famous 'Rumble In The Jungle' in 1974, where Ali won by knockout in the eighth round. This fight made Ali world heavyweight champion for the second time.
Foreman retired in 1977 but came back after ten years away. He proved Ali's faith in him was well-placed when he knocked out Michael Moorer in November 1994 to become the oldest world heavyweight champion in history.
The Foreman-Tyson fight Ali predicted never happened. But his comments show how much respect he had for both fighters, even if he thought they'd fare differently against each other.
