Mike Tyson recently made a controversial return to the ring.
‘Iron Mike’ was back competing in a professional contest for the first time in nearly 20 years when he took on Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in a marquee event that was broadcast live on Netflix.
Paul comfortably won the fight by unanimous decision, with the now 58-year-old Tyson a far cry from the ferocious fighter that became the youngest world heavyweight champion in history.
During his prime, Tyson was arguably the most feared man on the planet, knocking out big names like Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Trevor Berbick, Frank Bruno and Tony Tubbs.
Despite all of that success, Tyson has told ESNews who is the one current fighter that even in his prime he would never have liked to stand opposite in a boxing ring, and that is David Benavidez.
“He’s so underrated but so over-polarised here. Listen, I’d be afraid to fight him too if I was in that division. No one even has a chance against him, and I’m talking facts.”
Benavidez has a current undefeated record of 29-0, and after previously being world champion at super-middleweight, has recently moved up in weight to light heavyweight.
His 175lb debut in June saw him defeat Oleksandr Gvozdyk by unanimous decision to win the vacant WBC interim belt, and he is now set to take on WBA Regular light-heavyweight champion David Morrell in February.
A victory for Benavidez there could pave the way for a future showdown between the winner of the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol rematch, and ‘The Mexican Monster’ has revealed who he believes will win the next meeting.
