A former rival of Mike Tyson and Larry Holmes once assessed the punching power of his rivals after a career which also featured Frank Bruno and Vitali Klitschko.
Tyson and Holmes are widely considered to be two of the best heavyweights to have ever graced the sport, proving their credentials throughout the course of their respective careers.
‘Iron Mike’ rose to stardom during the mid 1980s where he would become the undisputed heavyweight champion just one month after he turned 21-years-old in August 1987, defeating the likes of Michael Spinks, Bruno and Trevor Berbick.
As for Holmes, ‘The Easton Assassin’ reigned as the world heavyweight champion for seven years between 1978 and 1985, making no less than 20 successful defences of his crown over the likes of Tim Witherspoon, Gerry Cooney and Muhammad Ali before he was dethroned by Michael Spinks. He would lost to Tyson in his later years by stoppage.
Each man carried significant power, with Tyson boasting 44 knockouts from 50 wins and Holmes 44 from 69.
One man who shared the ring with both is Cuba’s Jose Ribalta. He lost a unanimous decision to Holmes in 1993, seven years on from being stopped inside ten rounds by Tyson.
In a resurfaced interview with Boxing 24/7, Ribalta praised the power of former WBA Heavyweight Champion James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith, but said Holmes hit him hardest with his famous jab.
“I have to say, neither of those guys! Bonecrusher Smith – his right hand was really hard. And Larry Holmes’ left jab. I fought Holmes in [September of] 1993, and his left jab felt like a Tyson right hand! He hit me with it, and I thought I was cut! So, of all the punches I’ve ever been hit with, I’d say Holmes’ left jab was the hardest – it was so hard and so fast!”
Known for his thunderous punching power, Smith reigned as the WBA champion for just three months between December 1986 and March 1987 when he was dethroned by Tyson. His career would continue up until the summer of 1999 when he was beaten by Holmes in the 62nd and final bout of his tenure.
As for Ribalta, ‘El Nino’ proved to be a tough opponent for many of the sport’s greatest ever heavyweights, sharing the ring with the likes of Tyson, Holmes and Vitali Klitschko to name a few.
