Emanuel Steward always backed one man to win a fantasy showdown between Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, which is still fiercely debated within boxing circles.
Many consider Ali to be the greatest heavyweight of all time, while few would back against a prime ‘Iron Mike’ with any real certainty.
The Brooklyn knockout artist seemed an unstoppable force in his early 20s, claiming his first world title with a blistering second-round finish over Trevor Berbick in 1986.
Even as the reigning WBC champion, Tyson’s air of invincibility showed no signs of faltering until he suddenly lost to James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990.
The stunning 10th-round stoppage is still considered one of the greatest sporting upsets, yet Tyson eventually rebuilt his career and returned to the highest level.
Like Tyson, Ali possessed razor-sharp footwork and reflexes, especially for a heavyweight, but, unlike Tyson, was a far more active operator in the later rounds.
This extraordinary gas tank contributed to iconic victories over the likes of Joe Frazier and George Foreman, enhancing his legacy as quite possibly ‘The Greatest’.
For this reason, and while also considering Tyson’s disadvantages from a physical and mental perspective, legendary coach Steward could never look beyond an Ali victory.
In a resurfaced clip, the all-time great trainer analysed the nuances of a prime-for-prime battle between the pair.
“Mike is one of the most amazing men, and I have so much respect for [him]. The fact he accomplished what he did, it’s amazing.
“Sometimes he lost when he fought big guys, who were talented guys who weren’t intimidated by him. He was really nothing much more than a cruiserweight fighting these super-heavyweights.
“I think Ali would’ve won the fight, because I thought he had too much boxing skills and physical size, and just all-round generalship.
“As he tired physically and mentally, [Tyson] had problems in the later rounds. Ali actually fought better in the later rounds.”
Many would agree that Ali had the intelligence and durability to defeat a prime Tyson who, as Steward suggested, would not have had much success in the game of mental warfare.
