‘Freak of nature’ Tyson Fury ‘would beat Muhammad Ali’ in fantasy mega-fight

British world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury would beat Muhammad Ali in his prime if the two fought in a fantasy bout, according to light-heavyweight star Anthony Yarde.

The Gypsy King is considered the best heavyweight in the division and arguably of the generation after defeating the likes of Wladimir Klitschko and Deontay Wilder, with his epic grudge trilogy against the American captivating the boxing world. As a result, Fury is the current No. 1 fighter in the division.

Fury’s awkward elusive style, quick feet and punching prowess has earned comparisons to greats of the past, including Ali who is believed by many to be the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time. Yarde believes Fury would defeat The Greatest – even in his prime – if the two met in a fantasy matchup.

“He (Fury) keeps getting better, his punch output is getting better, his punch selection is getting better, and he is actually a freak of nature,” Yarde told Queensbury Promotions. “Even Shakur Stevenson said he would beat Muhammad Ali.

“Styles make fights and I personally believe he would beat Muhammad Ali as well.”

Yarde’s comments come after WBO, WBC and Ring Magazine super featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson received criticism for suggesting the same thing last month. Speaking to the Top Rank documentary cameras, while he watched Fury’s win over Dillian Whyte from ringside at Wembley Stadium, Stevenson said: “I’m about to say something that’s going to make you all mad.

“Tyson Fury would beat Muhammad Ali. I’m dead serious bro, he’s 6-foot-9. Ali is like 220 (pounds). You are all right, I’m supposed to stick with my people, but I’ve got to be real.

“Tyson Fury is 6-foot-9, 300-pounds. How is Muhammad Ali going to hit him — turn into Joe Frazier? He’s a boxer. I stand with my people, too, but I’m just saying. Tyson is too f***ing big for anybody. How’s Ali going to get inside bro?”

After knocking out Whyte in April at Wembley, Fury announced his retirement but the 33-year-old has reportedly continued to train twice a day and has not given a deadline to vacate his title by the WBC. It suggests that the Brit is working out to stay in shape in case the opportunity arises to fight with the winner of the rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua on July 23.

Do you think Tyson Fury would defeat Muhammad Ali in a fantasy clash? Let us know in the comments section.

Fury’s US promoter Bob Arum is confident that the Mancunian will step back into the ring to attempt to unify the division and become undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Speaking to Fight Hype, Arum said: “Well, I think Fury is going to wait to see how the Joshua fight comes out with Usyk, and then he'll make a determination whether he wants to continue.

“Other than fighting the winner of Joshua-Usyk, there's really nothing that's really of interest to Tyson Fury, so we will have to see.”

Fury has reportedly verbally agreed to a hybrid boxing bout with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in 4 oz MMA gloves. No date or venue has been confirmed, but the contest is allegedly set to take place in early 2023.

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