• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Mike Tyson weighs in on Floyd Mayweather's claim he's 'better' than Muhammad Ali

Home> News> Sport

Published 15:41 7 May 2025 GMT+1

Mike Tyson weighs in on Floyd Mayweather's claim he's 'better' than Muhammad Ali

Floyd Mayweather stepped away from the ring with an impeccable record, but the late Ali's was gifted the nickname 'The Greatest'

Joe Yates

Joe Yates

Muhammad Ali is generally considered to have been the greatest boxer to have ever lived, however, Floyd Mayweather seemingly disagrees.

Mayweather's reasoning was that he'd never tasted defeat in an incredible professional boxing career that saw him go 21 years without ever losing or drawing, as he stepped away from the game in 2017 with an impeccable record of 50 matches and 50 wins.

While Ali recorded 5 losses in his time, the first to Joe Frazier in 1971 at a time when his record was 31 - 0, the legendary boxer came back to beat Smokin' Joe two times, in 1974 and 1975, and claim victory in the epic trilogy.

Advert

Ali, who's nickname is 'The Greatest', rounded his 61-bout career off with 56 wins, 37 of which were knockouts - 10 more than Mayweather.

However, one person disagreed with Mayweather's claim - 'Iron Mike' himself.

Muhammad Ali stands over Sonny Liston after knocking him down during the first round of their match, which Ali went on to win back in 1965 (Getty/Bettmann)
Muhammad Ali stands over Sonny Liston after knocking him down during the first round of their match, which Ali went on to win back in 1965 (Getty/Bettmann)

What has Mayweather said about Muhammad Ali?

Mayweather first staked his claim to being the greatest boxer of all time prior to his fight with Manny Pacquiao back in 2015.

Advert

“I feel like I have done just as much in the sport as Ali,” Mayweather said to First Post.

“It is hard for a guy to be like me, still sharp at 38. No disrespect to Ali, but I feel like I am the best."

He added: "Ali lost in his career to Leon Spinks. He lost some other fights and is still known as the greatest. That is what it is."

Five years later, it became apparent that Mayweather does still consider himself as the best of all time.

Advert

While appearing on the Club Shay Shay podcast back in 2020, hosted by three-time Super Bowl champion Shannon Sharpe, Mayweather insisted that he had 'accomplished more than every fighter in the history of boxing'.

"Is Ali the same fighter that got beat by a fighter with seven fights? Leon Spinks beat Muhammad Ali when he only had seven fights?" the 48-year-old said.

"And if we really tell the truth, what's the heavyweight guy that Ali fought three times? Ken Norton actually. Ken Norton beat Ali all three times - go back and look at the fights."

What Mike Tyson said

Floyd Mayweather pictured after winning the legendary unified title bout versus Manny Pacquiao back in 2015 (Robert Beck /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
Floyd Mayweather pictured after winning the legendary unified title bout versus Manny Pacquiao back in 2015 (Robert Beck /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)

Advert

When asked about Mayweather's comments in 2015, Tyson replied: "He's very delusional. Listen, if he was anywhere near that realm of great Ali he'd be able to take his kids to school by himself. Okay?

"He can't take his kid to school by himself, and he's talking about he's great? Greatness is not guarding himself from

the people, greatness is being accepted by the people.

"He can't take his kids alone to school by himself. He's a little scared man, he's a very small scared man. I mean we just telling the truth... and I love Ali, of course."

Tyson has always made his admiration of Ali clear, having previously described him as the 'greatest of all time', even promising Ali that he'd win against Larry Holmes in their 1988 fight.

Advert

And the feelings appeared to be mutual, as Ali said of Tyson: "It’s very nice of him to pay a good compliment, but the man is a great."

UNILAD has contacted Mayweather's representatives for comment.

Featured Image Credit: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for Triller/Al Bello/Getty Images/Focus on Sport/Getty Images

Topics: Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Boxing

Joe Yates
Joe Yates

Joe is a journalist for UNILAD, who particularly enjoys writing about crime. He has worked in journalism for five years, and has covered everything from murder trials to celeb news.

X

@JMYjourno

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson in unanimous decision
  • Reason why Mike Tyson turned down Jake Paul’s $5,000,000 if he lasted 'more than 4 rounds'
  • Mike Tyson shares the real reason he's taking on Jake Paul fight at 58 years old despite extreme backlash
  • Mike Tyson caught biting in the ring again before losing to Jake Paul

Choose your content:

an hour ago
  • an hour ago

    Blake Lively speaks out as Justin Baldoni drops Taylor Swift subpoena after dragging her into $400,000,000 lawsuit

    Swift was recently dragged into the bitter lawsuit between Lively and Baldoni

    Celebrity
  • an hour ago

    Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slams Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' and warns of major consequences when US 'wakes up'

    Democrats are calling it a 'big, bad bill'

    News
  • an hour ago

    The Offspring 'secret' booking hack for $30 Supercharged Tour tickets revealed

    Hurry, they're selling fast

    Music
  • an hour ago

    Trump issues ruthless threat to Apple if iPhones aren't made in the US moving forward

    Donald Trump has issued a threat to the tech giant amid the ongoing trade war

    Technology