Frank Bruno, the British boxing legend, thinks Muhammad Ali would beat Mike Tyson if both fighters were in their prime. Bruno shared his thoughts during a recent interview with TNT Sports.
Bruno knows a thing or two about facing Tyson. He fought "Iron Mike" twice in his career. Their first bout in 1989 ended with Bruno losing by stoppage in the fifth round. Their second fight in 1997 was Bruno's last, with Tyson winning by knockout in the third round.
Despite his firsthand experience with Tyson's power, Bruno believes Ali would come out on top. In the interview with TNT Sports, Bruno explained his reasoning:
"Ali was 'the godfather'. He opened doors for many people. Ali was a very genuine human being and special man."
Bruno didn't dismiss Tyson's abilities, though. He acknowledged that Tyson at his prime, around 21 years old, was "a very dangerous human being." Tyson became the youngest ever heavyweight world champion, winning his first belt at just 19.
Still, Bruno's admiration for Ali shines through. He even suggested that Tyson himself would pick Ali as the winner in this hypothetical matchup.
Ali's reputation as one of the greatest heavyweights in history certainly backs up Bruno's prediction. Many regard Ali as the best heavyweight ever, known for his skills both inside and outside the ring.
Bruno's own career was marked by four world title attempts. He lost to Tim Witherspoon in 1986, Tyson in 1989, and Lennox Lewis in 1993. Bruno finally claimed the WBC championship in 1996, beating Oliver McCall on points at Wembley.
Interestingly, when asked about the hardest puncher he ever faced, Bruno didn't name Tyson. Instead, he gave that title to James 'Bonecrusher' Smith.
Bruno's prediction adds to the endless debate about matchups between boxing greats from different eras. While we'll never know for sure how a prime Ali vs. prime Tyson fight would play out, it's clear where this British boxing legend stands on the matter.
