George Foreman has sensationally revealed Muhammad Ali once admitted he wouldn't have been able to defeat Mike Tyson in his prime.
Ali and Tyson are two of the greatest in their respective eras and many fans have debated who would have won a fight between the two.
But Foreman has dropped the bombshell that Ali told him he was unsure he could defeat 'Iron Mike' at the height of his powers.
In Fiaz Rafiq's, Muhammad Ali: The Life of a Legend as serialised by SunSport, Ali's 'Rumble in the Jungle' opponent Foreman revealed:
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"Muhammad Ali told me himself. "I said to him, 'Do you think Tyson could beat anybody?'
"He said, 'Man, Tyson hits so hard.'
"He felt Tyson hit harder than anyone he'd faced.
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"He told me once that he didn't have the confidence he could have beaten Mike Tyson."
It's a comment that Tyson himself likely disagrees with, as the 53-year-old has frequently said Ali would defeat him.
A man who knew both men well is legendary promoter Don King, who worked with both in his storied career.
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The 88-year-old also features in the new book and he gave his opinion on both fighters.
"They were both great heavyweights," King begins. "Muhammad Ali had the blinding speed and he was a dancer in the ring. He was a fighter.
"He was a combination of things. He was emulating and imitating Sugar Ray Robinson, who was one of his idols.
"Ray Robinson, I think, was the best boxer of all time.
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"Muhammad Ali made a heavyweight look like a middleweight the way he was fighting. Then he would coin all of his phrases and predictions.
"They would become exciting up to the countdown to see it. The people hated him or loved him."
He went on to explain that Tyson was less of a showman than Ali, but 'The Baddest Man on the Planet' had huge intensity.
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"Mike Tyson had awesome, devastating power," King states.
"He was not the boxer that would be boxing and laughing - he was menacing. He was the guy that came in that they feared. You would be shivering in your bones. He would go out and seek and destroy.
"Ali would go another way. He would win with his skill, charm and wit.
"So these two guys were both great fighters. Mike Tyson, same thing - love him or hate him. But he was the menacing, devastating guy that wants to punch you so hard and put your nose up your brain.
"He was the kind of guy not to be loved like a guy like Muhammad Ali ended up being.
"But it was not that Ali wasn't in the beginning, because he was excoriated and vilified, but he was still at a time when he was making a move to become recognised by people."
Who do you think would have won between Ali and Tyson in a dream fight?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PA ImagesTopics: Mike Tyson, Boxing, Boxing legends, muhammad ali