WBC champ Deontay Wilder offered a truly humbling answer when he was asked who would win in a fight between himself and a prime Muhammad Ali.
Speaking to GQ Sports, the 34-year-old US boxing star went undercover and responded to fans’ questions posted online.
And one boxing fan asked who would win in a dream mega-fight between Wilder and the ‘Greatest.’
However, the ‘Bronze Bomber’ pointed out that Ali is his idol and “one of the reasons why I’m in this sport.”
Wilder explained: “You know, when it comes to Muhammad Ali, that is my idol, man.
“You know, Muhammad Ali is one of the reasons why I’m in this sport. He’s one of the reasons why I’m proud to say I’m the heavyweight champion of the world.
“And to carry the WBC belt, one of the belts that he had, you know and Muhammad Ali was the man in the heavyweight division, and he’ll forever live on in my heart.
“So, unfortunately, this is a fantasy fight, and I wouldn’t wanna fight my man.”
Wilder passionately showed off his admiration for his idol by chanting the iconic “Ali, bomaye,” which was used during the legendary former boxer’s clash with George Foreman in 1974.
The WBC kingpin is currently tied with Ali in consecutive heavyweight title defences at 10.
Speaking ahead of his upcoming rematch with Tyson Fury, Wilder has vowed to surpass the boxing legend’s record by knocking out his fierce rival.
“It was a basic plan for me to get into boxing, become a journeyman and make a few dollars for my daughter,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live Boxing.
“I never thought about being heavyweight champion of the world and being tied with my idol Ali.
“Once I’ve beaten Fury with a devastating knockout, I will go on even further to break the record and do more amazing things.”
Ali, who passed away in 2016, became an iconic sports figure in the 20th century and is widely regarded as the best boxer of all time.
But Khalilah Ali, who was married to Ali from 1967 to 1977, made a shocking admission by suggesting that Wilder was the ‘GOAT of boxing.’
Wilder will defend his championship against Fury on 22nd February in Las Vegas.