Muhammad Ali's Confession Of Not Being Able To Withstand Mike Tyson's Blow: I'm A 'Dancing' Expert, Not That Strong

Muhammad Ali (Instagram @muhammadali)

JAKARTA - Boxing legend Muhammad Ali once admitted that he might not be able to withstand Mike Tyson's punch if the two had fought.

Ali is considered to be the greatest heavyweight boxer ever. As far as fame goes, Tyson has absolutely nothing behind him.

They never met in the ring. However, in 1989, the two met on a talk show in the United States.

Ali and Tyson were at the Arsenio Hall event with fellow boxer Sugar Ray Leonard and the topic of whether Ali could handle Tyson's punch began to be discussed.

"I'm an expert in dancing and I'm not that strong," Ali began quoted from Marca, Monday, June 13.

"But I'm really fast. If he hits me... [falls asleep]. [But] that's if he catches me."

Meanwhile, Tyson refuses to let all the credit go to him and responds to Ali's words.

"I'm arrogant [laughs], I know I'm great, but can I tell you something?" Tyson said.

"In this situation, every head must bow, every tongue must confess: this [Ali] is the greatest of all time."

That's when Ali arguably gave Tyson the biggest compliment of all.

"He can be simple, humble and kind, but this guy is great and I don't know what will happen if he hits me," Ali said.

The point was later advanced by Tyson that Ali was dealing with blows from other boxing legends that were likely harder than he could make.

"You know, I don't believe that," Tyson argued.

"Champion [Ali] is very humble because I've seen him in the ring with killers.

"Like [George] Foreman, [Ernie] Shavers, they hit a lot harder than me.

"He took the biggest hits from these guys and that's what makes him a champion."