In an era where Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and BritishTyson Fury hold every major world heavyweight championship belt between them, Deontay Wilder is the closest thing to Mohammed Ali this time, according to his trainer, Malik Scott.

Wilder has a superb professional career to his name, as well as a frightening knockout percentage. The 35-year-old American has claimed all but one of his 42 victories via stoppage. However, Wilder does have a couple of blemishes on his record both at the hands of Fury.

Ali is an all-time great, who retired with an impressive 56-5 record. Fondly remembered as a legend of the sport, Ali took on the likes of George Foreman and Joe Frazier in bouts that will live on forever.

To compare him (Ali) to any fighter in this era would be tough; so much has changed since Ali fought for world titles between 1964 and 1980.

Deontay Wilder is known for his one-punch knockout power and in a recent interview, he expressed his thoughts on whether he could beat Muhammad Ali in his prime or not.

In response, the undefeated Heavyweight champion said that Muhammad Ali is his idol. Ali is one of the biggest reasons why he entered the sport. The WBC Heavyweight titleholder further stated that Muhammad Ali will forever live in his fight. Wilder said that he wouldn’t want to fight The Great Muhammad Ali.

Wilder fights nothing like Ali though, but he still respects him a great deal.  Deontay fights more like Cleveland Williams (80-13-1, 60 KOs) than he does Ali, but there’s nothing wrong with that. Williams was a very good fighter in the era of a young Ali, Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson, among many others.

Wilder (42-0-1, 41 KOs) is shaking up the boxing world with his incredible knockout record. Only two fighters have been able to go the full 12 round distance against Wilder in Bermane Stiverne and Tyson Fury.