Muhammad Ali and Arnold Schwarzenegger were both legends in their own right, having redefined what their respective sports could entail. Behind the screen, however, they had one of the most endearing, amicable relationships.

Both athletes have taken a page from each other's books, often crossing paths for interviews, shows, and training sessions. Yet, in all seriousness, Ali's favorite hangout activity was to mess around with the Mr. Olympia king.

In a December 2024 episode of 2 Bears 1 Cave with Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer, Schwarzenegger revealed, "He [Ali] always had me push him around, and then he would say, 'see, guys, you see what I'm saying, how strong he is.'"

This was an inside joke of the duo, with Ali often challenging the bodybuilder to a push contest. While fans debated which of the two was stronger, 'The Greatest' himself settled that debate on a 1980's episode of the Good Morning America show.

Having tested it backstage, Ali told host David Hartman, "He just picked me up and walked me right across the room. He’s so strong, he needs ban roll-on."

Moreover, Schwarzenegger, too, admired the 3x undisputed world heavyweight champion for his tenacity and perseverance inside the gym. But that didn't spare him from Ali's tricky jokes on his surname.

Muhammad Ali's quip that put Hartman in a sticky situation

Ali had both an immaculate sense of humor and a lighthearted friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The boxer often skewed the Hollywood sensation's last name, commenting that he was 'one of us guys,' Schwarzenegger revealed.

In fact, recalling one incident from the GMA's interview, the 'Austrian Oak' shared that before he was welcomed onto the stage, Ali playfully joked around with Hartman, suggesting the host had used a racial slur while pronouncing Schwarzenegger's name.

“I didn’t say that, you did!” a panicked Hartman retorted even as Ali's continuous sarcastic jabs kept the audience entertained. Decades later, the memory still lives fresh inside Schwarzenegger's mind.

Although Ali passed away in 2016 due to septic shock, his legacy continues to influence the world of sports, from Mike Tyson to Arnold Schwarzenegger. What's a lesson you have taken from the boxing maestro? Comment below.

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Written by

Proma Chatterjee

Edited by

Ashvinkumar Patil