Muhammad Ali vs. Mike Tyson: Daughter Rasheda Ali and Grandson Nico Ali Walsh End the GOAT Debate (Exclusive)

In the vast landscape of modern boxing, names like Terence Crawford, Tyson Fury, and Floyd Mayweather have become synonymous with the sport. Yet, amidst the current stars and emerging influencer boxers like Jake Paul and KSI, the debate surrounding the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in boxing persists. It keeps on harking back to the legendary eras of Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson.

The Ali vs. Tyson discourse continues to captivate fans even to this day. Well, this discourse was put to rest by the daughter and grandson of Muhammad Ali. In an exclusive chat with Kenny Ducey for the EssentiallySports FanCast, Rasheda Ali and Nico Ali Walsh spoke about “Iron” Mike Tyson’s GOAT status in comparison to that of “The Greatest” Muhammad Ali.

Nico Ali Walsh thinks Mike Tyson is amazing

Kenny Ducey posed a question to Rasheda Ali about her relationship with Mike Tyson. She talked about how she’s known “Kid Dynamite” since her high school days, and that he was always close to her father. Ducey instantly followed this up by asking his guests where they saw Mike Tyson getting ranked among the greatest boxers in the history of the sweet science.

Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh pitched in and said, “I think Mike’s amazing. He’s one of the greatest heavyweights, but I wouldn’t put him above my grandfather. But that’s a biased question.” Rasheda Ali added that “The Baddest Man on the Planet” would also feel the same, stating, “Well Mike wouldn’t put himself above Dad.” Nico reinforced, “No he wouldn’t. He never has.”

While Muhammad Ali’s daughter and grandson responded to the GOAT debate during the Exclusive Interview with EssentiallySports, this question was suppressed by the legends themselves decades earlier.

Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali acknowledge each other

In 1989, two boxing legends, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, shared a moment on the Arsenio Hall show. Despite never facing each other in the ring due to their careers not overlapping, the discussion turned to a fascinating topic—whether Ali could endure a punch from Tyson. The intriguing encounter took place on the talk show stage, alongside fellow legend Sugar Ray Leonard.

Read More: Going Viral for Inadvertently Ignoring a Man With His Face Tattooed on His Arms, Mike Tyson Stuns Fans With a Surprising Announcement

Muhammad Ali acknowledged his admirer Mike Tyson first. He said, “I was the dancing master and I wasn’t that powerful. But I was so fast. If he hit me… [fakes getting knocked out]. That is—if he catches me.” Tyson joined in and declared, “I’m vain, I know I’m great, but can I tell you something? In this situation, every head must bow, every tongue must confess: [pointing at Ali] This is the greatest of all time, of all time.“

There is no doubt that Tyson has always had an affection for Rasheda Ali and her sons Nico and Biaggio Ali Walsh, and this was evident in the manner they spoke about him during the EssentiallySports FanCast.

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