Emanuel Steward has always supported one man who won the fantastic fight between Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson that is still hotly debated in boxing circles.

Many consider Ali to be the greatest heavyweight of all time, while few would definitely go up against the top-ranked “Iron Mike.”

The 20-year-old Brooklyn knockout punch seemed unstoppable when he won his first world title with a stunning second-round victory over Trevor Berbick in 1986.

Even as the reigning WBC champion, Tyson’s air of invincibility showed no signs of abating until he suddenly lost to James “Buster” Douglas in 1990

The stunning 10th round stoppage is still considered one of sports’ greatest surprises, but Tyson ultimately rebuilt his career and returned to the highest level.

Like Tyson, Ali possessed razor-sharp footwork and reflexes, especially for a heavyweight, but unlike Tyson he was a much more dynamic operator in the later rounds.

This extraordinary fuel tank contributed to iconic victories over the likes of Joe Frazier and George Foreman, cementing his legacy as arguably “The Greatest.”

For this reason, given Tyson’s shortcomings from a physical and mental perspective, legendary trainer Steward could not look past Ali’s victory.

In the restored clip the all-time great coach analyzed the nuances of the pair’s rivalry.

“Mike is one of the most amazing men and I have the utmost respect for him [him]. The fact that he achieved what he did is amazing.

“Sometimes he lost, fighting large guys who were talented guys he wasn’t afraid of. He was really nothing more than a cruiserweight fighting super heavyweights.

“I think Ali would have won this fight because I thought he had too much boxing ability and physical size, and he was just an all-around general.

“When he was tired physically and mentally, [Tyson] he had problems in the later rounds. Ali actually fought better in the later rounds.”

Many would agree that Ali had the intelligence and stamina to defeat top-ranked Tyson, who Steward suggested would not have had much success in the mental war game.

Shakur Stevenson signed a contract with Zuffa Boxing, and the confirmation came not from the promotion, but from a rival. Matchroom chairman Eddie Hearn, who promoted Stevenson during his January victory over Teofimo Lopez, told reporters on Monday that the junior welterweight champion had joined the company backed by TKO-backed Dana White. Hearn broke the news at his own press conference for Anthony Joshua at Matchroom, ahead of any announcement from Zuffa himself.

“Shakur signed with Zuffa, so that will be his continued development,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV. The move isn’t official yet, according to BoxingScene, though two people familiar with the talks described an announcement as imminent. Zuffa tends to confirm larger transfers at its own events, which leaves Hearn as the public source of information about the deal for now.

The signing of the agreement has been talked about for weeks. Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated was first reported in early May that Stevenson was finalizing terms after leaving Top Rank, and White hinted at this at the Zuffa Boxing 06 press conference on May 10, replying “No? Probably” when asked if the promotion had announced him.

Stevenson (28) has a record of 25-0, 11 knockouts and is the holder of the WBO and The Ring junior welterweight titles won on January 31 at Madison Square Garden by decision over Lopez. He is a world champion in four weight categories.

Hearn praised the player but questioned the motives behind the move. He said Zuffa pays its fighters roughly five times the rest of the market and asked who the promotion would match Stevenson with, raising the prospect of receiving $15 million to fight with O’Shaquie Foster as an example. He called this approach unsustainable and predicted it would not be sustainable. The $15 million figure represents the amount Conor Benn was reported to have earned for a single fight with Zuffa in February before he signed a multi-fight extension.

Anthony Joshua believes Tyson Fury should consider fighting Moses Itauma if he is stern about the advice he previously gave him.

Fury recently suggested that Joshua should fight an undefeated heavyweight prospect as Joshua searched for an opponent for his July 25 return. Joshua instead agreed to face Kristian Prenga in Saudi Arabia while Fury is still looking for an opponent for his planned August return.

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Last update: 2026/06/05 at 16:03