Behind the Legend: Muhammad Ali’s Achilles’ Heel in the Boxing Ring

Boxing icon Muhammad Ali secretly admitted that he didn’t believe he could beat a prime Mike Tyson in a dream super-fight.

That is according to boxing legend George Foreman, who asked his former rival if ‘Iron’ Mike “could beat anybody.”

Ali, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 74, called it time on his professional boxing career after defeats to Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick.

Tyson, who is a huge admirer of Ali, would burst onto the professional scene during the mid-1980s and built a feared reputation inside the squared circle.

Tyson would become the youngest boxer in history to win a heavyweight title after beating Ali’s former opponent Berbick for the WBC championship in 1986.

The Baddest Man on the Planet famously promised Ali that he would avenge his defeat to Holmes, with Tyson sealing a fourth-round stoppage win in 1988.

Foreman, who was defeated by Ali in their historic Rumble in the Jungle showdown in 1974, made his return to boxing in 1987 after a 10-year hiatus.

The 72­-year-old American star revealed that Ali told him he “didn’t have the confidence” that he would have defeated Tyson inside the ring.

“Muhammad Ali told me himself,” Big George told Fiaz Rafiq for the book Muhammad Ali: The Life of a Legend.

“I said to him, ‘Do you think Tyson could beat anybody?’ He said, ‘Man, Tyson hits so hard.’

What made Muhammad Ali 'The Greatest' in the ring?

“He felt Tyson hit harder than anyone he’d faced. He told me once that he didn’t have the confidence he could have beaten Mike Tyson.”

Foreman has previously claimed that Tyson would have been a “nightmare in the ring” and he “didn’t want anything to do” with him.

The former two-time world heavyweight champ believes he never stepped in the ring with Iron Mike due to the boxing legend’s revered trainer, Cus D’Amato.

Tyson’s 37-fight unbeaten streak came to an end in 1990 after a stunning upset caused by Buster Douglas at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.

The 55-year-old American superstar went on to win his next eight fights, including winning his second WBC title with a third-round stoppage win over Frank Bruno.

Tyson, who was plagued with issues outside of the ring, suffered back-to-back defeats to Evander Holyfield in the 1990s and a 2002 defeat to fierce rival Lennox Lewis.

The former undisputed world heavyweight champ retired from professional boxing after defeats to Danny Williams and Kevin McBride.

Tyson has admitted that he “wouldn’t win the real fight” with Ali if they had ever clashed inside the squared circle.

Iron Mike claimed “nobody beats” the Greatest in a fight, saying there was “no man like him.”

Related Posts

Loose Women star Denise Welch’s three word warning after being scammed for thousands

Denise Welch has opened up about how she was scammed of thousands of pounds after making a huge error – and is warning others not to do…

Kym Marsh suffers another tragic family loss as she shares heartbreaking tribute

Actress Kym Marsh has revealed her family has suffered another devastating death as she paid an emotional tribute on her social media following the loss of her…

David Beckham makes big gesture on social media towards son Brooklyn amid rift

David Beckham showed his support for his eldest son Brooklyn Beckham on social media this week following rumours of a rift between some of the family in…

Clarkson’s Farm star Harriet Cowan claims she is ‘not making any money’ despite show

Harriet Cowan became a hit with Clarkson’s Farm viewers when she stepped in to help Jeremy Clarkson while Kaleb Cooper went away as she revealed the harsh…

Danniella Westbrook confesses her biggest regret as she looks back on her troubled past

Former EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook says she doesn’t have any career regrets, but drugs will “always” be her biggest regret, as she’s opened up about her past…

Alex Jones fights tears as her rarely-seen husband appears on The One Show

Alex Jones was brought to tears during tonight’s episode of The One Show as her rarely-seen husband Charlie made a surprise appearance as she celebrated 15 years…