Russian wrestler Habib Nur Mammadov objected to his comparison with boxing legend Muhammad Ali Clay, and said it was inappropriate to put him in the same rank as the late boxer.

Nur Mammadov spoke in a TV interview about his admiration for Muhammad Ali, but he said that it is not possible to talk about a comparison between him and the American boxer except that they share in common being Muslims and two athletes.

"We may share that we are two Muslim champions, but with everything Muhammad Ali did outside the boxing ring, I can never be compared to him," he said.

"I like that people compare us, but I think it is inappropriate."

This is what UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has to say on being compared to Muhammad Ali pic.twitter.com/llEGdjTJyK

- TRT World (@trtworld) September 15, 2020

"He was brilliant in a difficult period because of anti-black racism in America. He succeeded in changing many ideas about blacks," he added.

He concluded his speech by saying, "If I want to compare me to him, I have to go back to that period and compete in those circumstances, and we will see how I will deal with that situation."