Deontay Wilder and Mike Tyson are two of the most dangerous punchers the sport of boxing has ever seen.
There perhaps isn’t a heavyweight as feared as young Mike Tyson once was. His speed, power and angles saw him score stoppages in his first 19 wins and become the world champion at just 20 years old.
Fast forward to today’s era and Wilder took up the mantle of the division’s biggest knockout artist. Despite his last two outings being conclusive losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang – Parker by wide UD, Zhang by TKO – ‘The Bronze Bomber’ in his prime was perhaps the most devastating knockout artist in history.
All of those stoppages build confidence in a man, and the big hitter from Tuscaloosa, Alabama once famously claimed he would beat prime Tyson.
“Me versus Tyson in ’86, I’d kick the hell outta that guy. Listen, I’ve got to keep it real. I know people always go back to the old school or look at the new school and there’s no school where I’m not No. 1 on earth.”
Though Tyson himself praised the comments at the time, saying that the top heavyweights should back themselves against anyone and everyone, Lennox Lewis was more scathing in his review.
‘The Lion’ – who knocked out Tyson inside eight rounds back in 2002 – completely disagreed.
“I just heard Deontay Wilder said he would destroy a young Mike Tyson. My thoughts are that it’s easy to talk until you actually get in the ring. I like Wilder but he’s never been in there with someone that ferocious who truly wants to break his ribs with every punch. I don’t see it.”
Wilder is set to make his comeback to the ring following the back-to-back losses in Saudi Arabia, with journeyman Curtis Harper lined up to be in the opposing corner. A win will not only build back his confidence, but potentially set him up for a big fight against Anthony Joshua.
