Shakur Stevenson has predicted which of the current heavyweights would have been able to beat the great Muhammad Ali.
The Louisville-born boxer is still widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century. His in-ring accomplishments include winning Olympic gold in 1960 before turning professional and then working his way to becoming a three-time world heavyweight champion.
He was famed for his lightning speed and showmanship and brought an all-new athleticism to the division with his legendary line that he wanted to “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.”
Ali refused induction into the US military in 1967 as a conscientious objector to the Vietnam War, which saw him banned from the sport and lose his title.
When he returned, he had legendary fights with George Foreman and Joe Frazier and eventually retired in 1981 with a record of 56 wins from 61 fights.
Speaking to Paramount Boxing, Stevenson was asked who would come out on top between Ali and British former heavyweight ruler Tyson Fury.
“Tyson Fury. Prime Tyson Fury, though. Prime Tyson Fury is hard to beat. When he beat Wilder, 6ft9, 282[lbs], he’s a beast though.”
Fury is a two-time champion who had a famous trilogy with Deontay Wilder before losing his belt to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024. He was unable to win the rematch six months later and then spent all of 2025 in retirement.
He returned in April with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov, before overcoming Mariusz Wach in Thailand on Friday, and now looks set for a super fight with Anthony Joshua in September.
