Heavyweight boxing

GEORGE FOREMAN has revealed that Muhammad Ali once admitted to him that he didn’t believe he could’ve beaten Mike Tyson in his prime.
Widely considered to be the two greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, many have passionately speculated as to who would have won if they’d met in their primes.

The brand new book features amazing stories about the legendary fighter

Mike Tyson defeated Trevor Berbick in 1986, one of the only men to have beaten AliCredit: AP:Associated Press

Muhammad Ali Jr believes that his father would have “kicked Tyson’s butt”… but the man himself wasn’t so sure.
Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle rival Foreman has made the revelation that Ali wasn’t so sure he’d have been able to beat the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ in his pomp.
Speaking to Fiaz Rafiq for his brand new book, Muhammad Ali: The Life of a Legend, Foreman made the stunning declaration.
He said: “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.
“He told me once that he didn’t have the confidence he could have beaten Mike Tyson.”

Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in the Rumble in the JungleCredit: AP:Associated Press

Tyson quickly became one of boxing’s most feared fightersCredit: Getty – Contributor
Veteran promoter Don King, who worked with both legendary fighters, also gives his opinion on comparisons between the pair in the brand new book.
The 88-year-old says: “They were both great heavyweights. 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.
“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.”
King, who was behind the promotions of the Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manilla, also had plenty to say on Tyson.
He continued: “Mike Tyson had awesome, devastating power.

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.
Don King

“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.”
The late, great Ali, who passed away in 2016, fought for the final time in 1981 – four years prior to Tyson lacing up the gloves professionally.
Of 61 professional fights, Ali won 56 – with three of his five defeats coming in his final four fights.
And of those losses, only those to Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick – who in a twist of fate was to be beaten by Tyson five years later with the WBC title on the line – in the final year of his career weren’t later avenged in subsequent rematches.

Ali is widely considered to be the greatest boxer of all timeCredit: AP:Associated Press

TYME TO DECIDE
Who Fury could fight in December as AJ tune-up with Wilder trilogy off

TYME’S UP
Tyson Fury vs Wilder CALLED OFF with blockbuster Joshua bout lined up for spring

Pictured

GIVE HER A HAND
VanZant shows off stunning strength with handstand ahead of bareknuckle bow

SPAR TURN
Secret texts before Joshua defeat to Ruiz reveal American agreed to sparring role

RING IT IN
Tyson confirms Jones Jr fight WILL go ahead on November 28 with epic promo video

RE-JOYCE
Dubois vs Joyce will NOT be PPV as fans deserve to watch it for FREE, says Warren

JOG ON
Fury shares jogging vid to inspire fans into running after Mental Health day poem

Tyson finished with a 50-6 record, similarly skewed by his last four fights aged 38.
Of his victories, an astonishing 44 came via knockout, as he established himself as the most feared fighter on the planet.
The veteran, now 53, is planning a comeback to the ring  15 years after retiring – to compete in exhibition bouts – with a number of high-profile contenders to face him having emerged.

Mike Tyson shows off unbelievable speed aged 53 as heavyweight legend gears up for sensational boxing return More

TYSON FURY needs a December dance partner if he has indeed ditched Deontay Wilder.
The Gypsy King has grown tired of waiting for his 6ft 7in American opponent to name a date and location for their trilogy fight and wants to move on with his career – quickly.

5

Tyson Fury needs a December opponent worthy of selling a pay-per-view boutCredit: Getty Images – Getty

The undefeated WBC king will now enjoy a homecoming UK show in December – to navigate around the Covid-related travel restrictions – before hopefully leaping into the undisputed decider with Anthony Joshua.
So the 32-year-old’s next opponent must be a big enough name to help sell a pay-per-view, very close to wallet-crippling Crimbo.
But not really dangerous enough to beat or cut the showman a few months out from potentially the biggest fight in British boxing history.
Eddie Hearn and Sky Sports are already selling Derek Chisora vs Olexandr Usyk (Oct 31), Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin 2 (Nov 21) and AJ vs Kubrat Pulev (Dec 12) on PPV.

So cash-strapped fans are going to take some convincing to buy Fury’s first UK bout since 2018, if the opponent isn’t up to scratch.
Here SunSport considers five names – some perfect picks, some dreaded journeymen and some wild long shots – who could meet the fight criteria.
1. Lucas Browne – Australia – 29-2

5

Aussie Lucas Browne has previously lost to British fightersCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Australian veteran is a former WBA world champion, speaks the lingo and would have no problem playing the pantomime villain to drive up interest.
British fans will also recognise ‘Big Daddy’ from his two career defeats, both in London against Dave Allen and Dillian Whyte and caused by magnificent punches.

The 6ft 5in ex-bouncer with the tattooed face would certainly help sell the fight.
And at 41 – Fury could be confident enough of another win over a rival with similar dimensions to AJ, for a handy practice bout.
The freelance fight also has no exclusive promotional ties in the UK so would be an easy coup.

TYME’S UP
Tyson Fury vs Wilder CALLED OFF with blockbuster Joshua bout lined up for spring

Pictured

GIVE HER A HAND
VanZant shows off stunning strength with handstand ahead of bareknuckle bow

Exclusive

BOUT DOUBT
Ali secretly revealed he was SCARED to fight Mike Tyson, claims George Foreman

RE-JOYCE
Dubois vs Joyce will NOT be PPV as fans deserve to watch it for FREE, says Warren

IRON FIST
Frank Warren reveals night Mike Tyson punched him in face over £2m jewellery bill

2. David Price – England – 25-7

5

David Price has history with the Gypsy KingCredit: PA:Press Association
There is already a brilliant backstory between Fury and the giant scouser. 
Price beat Fury in a 2006 amateur bout and went on to take the Team GB super-heavyweight spot at the 2008 Olympics, ahead of Fury.
Then the Morecambe hero produced one of the funniest call-out clips in the history of British boxing when he offered the “big stiff idiot plumber” a pro straightener.
[embedded content]
Price’s pro career has been a painful disappointment but his right hand remains a dangerous equaliser.
But his infamous glass chin could also help Fury score a sensational KO.
The 37-year-old has boxed on Eddie Hearn’s Sky Sports shows in recent years so negotiations might be tricky.
But it is definitely a long-overdue clash that would hit the mainstream and warrant a PPV fee.
3. Carlos Takam – France – 39-5-1

5

Carlos Takam could jump in the ring with Fury before ChristmasCredit: PA:Press Association
The Cameroon-born Frenchman has a few factors in his favour.
From a business angle he shares US promoters Top Rank with Fury, so the deal is done in-house.
In the ring, fans will remember the Las Vegas-based slugger giving AJ a torrid night in Cardiff in 2017 when Takam was harshly stopped on his feet in the 10th.
And he lost a barnstormer with Derek Chisora in 2018 to further enhance his reputation as a headline attraction.
There could be a worry that rough’n’tough Takam could be too high-risk, especially considering the 42-stitch wound Fury suffered in the supposedly easy bout with Otto Wallin in 2019.
At 39, the hardnut is approaching the end of his career and is unlikely to land another world title shot.
So he could be convinced to take a payday against his stablemate and promise to take his pressure style down a couple of notches.
4. Razvan Cojanu – Romania – 17-7

5

Razvan Cojanu lost to Fury’s stablemate Daniel DuboisCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
If the first three whetted your appetite then prepare to sling your dinner in the bin with option No4.
This Romanian heavyweight’s stock shot up after he went 12 rounds against then-world champ Joseph Parker but the 2017 stinker was little more than a sparring match and he lost three on the bounce immediately after.
Two of those defeats, however, are the reason Cojanu remains an option.
Frank Warren and BT fed the 6ft 7in clogger to prospects Daniel Dubois and Nathan Gorman so there is a relationship already in place.
But even a stacked undercard and post-fight singalong from Fury would struggle to make this worth a …. watch.
5. Dempsey McKean – Australia – 18-0

You’ve probably never heard of the 6ft 6in southpaw but before Fury cherrypicked Wallin and Tom Schwarz from obscurity last year they were also relative unknowns.
Schwarz was 24-0 and highly ranked by the WBO, while Wallin was 20-0 and respected by the WBA and both made Fury look good in the ring.
McKean shares a few similarities, as the unbeaten No1 heavyweight from Down Under with a couple of obscure WBO titles and a sizeable frame to lure in fence-sitters.
Fury’s die-hard fans would watch him box up a birthday present and, with the right sales patter, some floating voters might buy in to a bout like this.
But this would be another one that boxing purists would turn their noses up, especially after having it bloodied by the three other heavyweight PPVs on the calendar.

Watch Tyson Fury star in short film on addiction called You’re Not My Best Friend to mark World Mental Health Day More

GEORGE FOREMAN has revealed that Muhammad Ali once admitted to him that he didn’t believe he could’ve beaten Mike Tyson in his prime.
Widely considered to be the two greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, many have passionately speculated as to who would have won if they’d met in their primes.

The brand new book features amazing stories about the legendary fighter

Mike Tyson defeated Trevor Berbick in 1986, one of the only men to have beaten AliCredit: AP:Associated Press

Muhammad Ali Jr believes that his father would have “kicked Tyson’s butt”… but the man himself wasn’t so sure.
Ali’s Rumble in the Jungle rival Foreman has made the revelation that Ali wasn’t so sure he’d have been able to beat the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ in his pomp.
Speaking to Fiaz Rafiq for his brand new book, Muhammad Ali: The Life of a Legend, Foreman made the stunning declaration.
He said: “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.
“He told me once that he didn’t have the confidence he could have beaten Mike Tyson.”

Muhammad Ali defeated George Foreman in the Rumble in the JungleCredit: AP:Associated Press

Tyson quickly became one of boxing’s most feared fightersCredit: Getty – Contributor
Veteran promoter Don King, who worked with both legendary fighters, also gives his opinion on comparisons between the pair in the brand new book.
The 88-year-old says: “They were both great heavyweights. 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.
“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.”
King, who was behind the promotions of the Rumble in the Jungle and Thrilla in Manilla, also had plenty to say on Tyson.
He continued: “Mike Tyson had awesome, devastating power.

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.
Don King

“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.”
The late, great Ali, who passed away in 2016, fought for the final time in 1981 – four years prior to Tyson lacing up the gloves professionally.
Of 61 professional fights, Ali won 56 – with three of his five defeats coming in his final four fights.
And of those losses, only those to Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick – who in a twist of fate was to be beaten by Tyson five years later with the WBC title on the line – in the final year of his career weren’t later avenged in subsequent rematches.

Ali is widely considered to be the greatest boxer of all timeCredit: AP:Associated Press

TYME’S UP
Tyson Fury vs Wilder CALLED OFF leaving door open for dream Joshua fight

MAN IN THE BOX
Fury ‘talking nonsense’ by claiming Wilder better than Joshua, says Bellew

SPAR TURN
Secret texts before Joshua defeat to Ruiz reveal American agreed to sparring role

IRON FIST
Frank Warren reveals night Mike Tyson punched him in face over £2m jewellery bill

RING IT IN
Tyson confirms Jones Jr fight WILL go ahead on November 28 with epic promo video

RE-JOYCE
Dubois vs Joyce will NOT be PPV as fans deserve to watch it for FREE, says Warren

ARM IN PAIN
Wilder underwent secret bicep surgery after Fury battering but looks to rematch

Tyson finished with a 50-6 record, similarly skewed by his last four fights aged 38.
Of his victories, an astonishing 44 came via knockout, as he established himself as the most feared fighter on the planet.
The veteran, now 53, is planning a comeback to the ring  15 years after retiring – to compete in exhibition bouts – with a number of high-profile contenders to face him having emerged.

Mike Tyson shows off unbelievable speed aged 53 as heavyweight legend gears up for sensational boxing return More

NATHAN GORMAN needed 16 months to recover from a week of hell but is diving back into a make-or-break night.
The Nantwich heavyweight lost a British title barnstormer in July 2019 against Daniel Dubois, after playing down the fact son Nathan Jr had spent most of his training camp in hospital fighting for his life.

4

Nathan Gorman lost a British title thriller gainst Daniel Dubois last yearCredit: Richard Pelham – The Sun

The little tyke won his battles with pneumonia and a tumour on his chest but Dynamite Dubois blew Nathan Sr away when he threw out the box-and-move gameplan and went toe-to-toe with the powerhouse.
Beaten and deflated, Gorman turned his phone off for two months and focused on his young family, then the pandemic hit and his hiatus was drastically extended.
Now he has hurled himself back into the firing line with a Saturday night clash with dangerman Richard Lartey and admitted defeat will leave him considering a career switch.
He told SunSport: “Daniel beat me absolutely fair and square and I will never use the situation I had with my son as an excuse.

“He had spent three weeks in intensive care with pneumonia and then needed surgery to remove a tumour on his chest and more hospital time to recover.

4

Nathan Gorman Jr was seriously ill during his dad’s last fight campCredit: Instagram @nathangorman96
“I felt like it might have motivated me even more but, looking back, I should have pulled out or postponed the fight but I was too proud to pull out, I felt I could not let everyone down.
“Afterwards I just wanted to disappear for a bit, I turned my phone off for two months and just regrouped with my family at the same time as realising how lucky I was.
“Now I have made some changes, trained all through lockdown and demanded a genuine fight that I have to win to kickstart my career again”.

4

Gorman has picked himself up, brushed himself down and is coming againCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Lartey’s name and face will be familiar to British boxing fans who remember the third round of his April 2019 clash with Dubois.
The Ghana giant, with the shock of orange beard, stunned the Greenwich powerhouse with a sensational exchange that had the Wembley crowd on the edge of their seats – before Dubois knocked him out.
Gorman, still just 24, could have had a far easier comeback but the shaven-headed hardman wants to to remind the world – and himself- of his potential, with his future on the line.

BIG HITTER
Boxer Bridges reveals messages from fans who want her to ‘judge’ their penis

Exclusive

PAC A PUNCH
Conor McGregor gifted with ‘speed, agility and power’ says Italian boxing coach

ratings war
Loma vs Lopez: The unmissable blockbuster bout Brit TV doesn’t want you to see

RING IT IN
Tyson confirms Jones Jr fight WILL go ahead on November 28 with epic promo video

TYS-ON THE MARKET
Mike Tyson’s old homes include 21-bed mansion & house that’s now a church

4

Richard Lartey and his orange beard gave Daniel Dubois a scareCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He said: “I know I don’t look 24 but I am and I could have used that to have another learning fight, to ease my way back in. But I wanted to test myself and put on a show.
“Fans will remember Lartey’s shootout with Daniel and I have seen already on social media that some people are thinking I get beat.
“That’s great for me, I need to announce myself back on the scene in a big way and this battle of the beards is the perfect chance.
“If I don’t beat this man – with all of the right preparation – then I will have to answer some serious questions about my career and future because I am not in this dangerous sport just to help out.”

Sun Boxing’s Wally Downes Jr takes a beating in the ring from Nathan Gorman, Tyson Fury’s cousin More