Muhammad Ali made light work of some of the greatest boxers of all time in the ring.
During his esteemed career, the man many believe is the greatest boxer of all time had 37 knockout wins. That’s fighting against people who have trained their entire lives to take hits from guys like him.
So what would happen to us mere mortals if a hard-hitter like Muhammad Ali were to throw a punch at us? The thought doesn’t bear thinking about.
Fortunately, Tiger Woods has already done that research for us. He once described what it was like to experience a fraction of the power of an Ali punch.
How Tiger Woods described being hit by a 62-year-old Muhammad Ali
In 2004, the greatest golfer of all time, Woods, was preparing for the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock Hills, and had a chance encounter with Ali.
A 62-year-old Ali jokingly gave Woods a light jab to the ribs, and he described afterwards how much the hit from “The Greatest” hurt.
He said to Golf Digest, “It was a practice round at Shinnecock, the year (Retief Goosen) won out there…I’m in line at the front desk, and I get hit in the ribs. My right ribs. And it hurt. And I whip around and think I’m gonna just keel all and hit somebody.
“I was so p—-d. I look around, and it’s Muhammad Ali. And he says, ‘Hey, kid.’ And I’m like, ‘Why did you have to give me a love tap so hard?’
“He was old, but it still hurt. I just can’t imagine being hit in the ring for 15 rounds like they used to fight back in the day.”
Even a light, playful jab from Ali, who had been retired for 23 years, was enough to hurt one of the greatest athletes ever in Woods, so it’s hard to imagine how it’s possible to take a full punch from a prime boxer!
Tiger Woods’ reaction to Muhammad Ali’s passing
When Ali passed away in 2016, Woods was one of many sporting icons to post a tribute on social media.
He posted to Twitter (now X): “You’ll always be The Greatest for more than just what you did in the ring. A champion to so many people in so many ways.”
One of Woods’ good friends, Michael Jordan, also released a statement, saying:
“Muhammad Ali was bigger than sports and larger than life. He said he was ‘The Greatest’ and he was right. He was the greatest of his era in the ring and a global icon in sports.
“I was a kid during his prime, but I remember some of his epic fights and his incredible style. My sincerest condolences go out to his wife, Lonnie, his kids and family.”
It’s clear that not only with his greatness in the ring, but also with his personality away from the ring, Ali touched the hearts of people around the world. Even the greats of their respective sports bowed down to the great Ali.
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