Boxing legend Muhammad Ali set the standard for the sport of boxing for many years. During his time, the former heavyweight champion’s impact in and around the sport was unmatched by any previous athlete as he broke conventions of what a sportsman should be. Moreover, many believed that his impact would not be matched, even by athletes that would grace the sport after him.

Despite that, there was a man named Mike Tyson who would carry on Ali’s legacy and the heavyweight division during the 80s and 90s. However, Ali’s manager was not so sure a boxer like Tyson would ever come up in the future.

Muhammad Ali’s manager makes a shocking prediction

In Ali’s book, ‘The Greatest’ there was a snippet of a conversation between him and his manager Herbert on the ninth page. In this conversation, Herbert claims that people will lose interest in the heavyweight division after Ali retires. This was due to his significance not only to boxing but also his role as a global icon.

“Interest in the Heavyweight Championship will never be as high as it is now. Because of the way you have built it up and promoted it.
After you go, it’s bound to die down, because never in history has any fighter been exposed to so much of the world as you’ve been, in so many ways,” he said.

Read More: 33 Years Later, Muhammad Ali’s Humble Act Makes Mike Tyson Break Down in Denial: ‘I Can’t Figure It Out, Motherf*ck*r!’

This was not all as he also told Ali why this was his time to shine and reminded him that he was the greatest athlete ever to compete in any sport.

Mike Tyson disproves Ali’s manager’s prediction

Herbert told Ali that his conversion to Islam put a spotlight on him, unlike any other person in the world. Moreover, he even persuaded ‘The People’s Champ to make the most out of his time and cement his legacy.

“When you came into Islam, you made an enormous number of people—who had never thought of boxing before, or very little of any sport, for that matter—conscious of the World Heavyweight Champion. Never before had the world focused so much attention on one athlete. This is your time. You have to benefit from it,” he added.

While Herbert was confident no other man could replicate Ali’s feats, his prediction would not turn true. Tyson took on the torch from Ali, even avenging his idol’s loss, as he went on to beat Larry Holmes. ‘Iron Mike’ would become the undisputed heavyweight champion like Ali, and rightfully seemed invincible during his prime.

What did you think about Tyson proving Ali’s manager wrong? Let us know in the comments.

Watch This Story: Five Insane Facts About Mike Tyson