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Mike Tyson named surprise choice for his favourite boxer who he idolised more than Muhammad Ali

Home> Boxing> Boxing News

Updated 19:13 3 Feb 2024 GMTPublished 19:10 3 Feb 2024 GMT

Mike Tyson named surprise choice for his favourite boxer who he idolised more than Muhammad Ali

"He was a street fighter, like me."

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan

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Mike Tyson once snubbed the late, great Muhammad Ali when naming his favourite ever boxer.

Tyson idolised fellow heavyweight legend Ali and has described him as "the greatest of all time" on several occasions.

He made his feelings on Ali clear when appearing with him on The Arsenio Hall Show back in 1989 alongside fellow boxing great 'Sugar' Ray Leonard.

When asked if he could one day challenge Ali for the title of boxing's greatest ever fighter, Tyson replied: "I'm vain, I know I'm great, but can I tell you something?

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"In this situation, every head must bow, every tongue must confess: This [Ali] is the greatest of all time."

"He can be modest, humble and nice, but this man is a great," Ali replied.

"I don't know what would have happened if he hit me."

Despite that admiration for Ali, Tyson chose another fighter when naming his favourite boxer of all time.

That honour instead went to legendary Panamanian Roberto Duran, who held world titles in four weight classes - Lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight - during his pro career.

Explaining his decision, Tyson said he saw more of himself in Duran than Ali, despite their difference in nationality and weight.

"He was a street fighter, like me. He's crude and mean," said Tyson.

"I respected Ali and I worshipped Ali, but he was very tall and very handsome. I was very short and not so handsome and I wasn't good looking. And he was very articulate and I spoke with a lisp.

Mike Tyson named Roberto Duran as his favourite fighter (Image: Getty)
Mike Tyson named Roberto Duran as his favourite fighter (Image: Getty)

"Ali was a middle-class kid. He had a mother and father that both worked. My mother and father was in the sex industry. So you know, and Roberto Duran's mother, you know what I mean, out there as well – and so I related to that.

"I didn't have to change. I didn't have to learn how to talk polite. I didn't have to be nice.

"If he can be accepted and be worshipped that way, I thought I would be able to as well."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Boxing, Heavyweight Boxing, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson

Rory O'Callaghan
Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA.

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@rory_ocallaghan

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