Tyson Fury has outlined the complications with comparing fighters from different eras, such as Muhammad Ali and Oleksandr Usyk, and deciding who was superior.
For most, it would be easy enough to say that Ali was a more complete heavyweight, or at least proved himself against a generally higher calibre of opposition.
He did, after all, craft a remarkable 61-fight resume, with his first world title triumph arriving via a terrific upset and sixth-round finish over Sonny Liston in 1964.
‘The Greatest’ would then go on to make nine successful defences, before being stripped of the belt on account of his refusal to participate in the Vietnam War.
Still, he returned to the sport and, after losing a 15-round battle with Joe Frazier in 1971, Ali exacted his revenge around three years later and subsequently dethroned George Foreman with an iconic eighth-round stoppage.
The American is therefore widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight of all time, having also claimed notable victories over the likes of Ken Norton and Ron Lyle.
Usyk, meanwhile, has had less than half his number of professional bouts and is now on the verge of retirement, having become a three-time, two-division undisputed king.
But Fury nonetheless struggles to engage in any form of Ali-Usyk debate, telling ALF Global that it seems unfair to rank the two all-time greats against one another.
“I don’t really rank boxers from different eras; I only match people with who they can fight today, or [who they could’ve fought] back in the day.
“So to say Muhammad Ali was better than Oleksandr Usyk – who knows, because they never fought. It’s just a biased opinion.”
Fury fought Usyk twice in 2025, losing their first encounter by split decision before suffering a unanimous decision defeat in their rematch.
