Mike Tyson has a better view than most on who was the greatest heavyweight out of two boxing legends.
Tyson was of course the youngest ever man to become a world heavyweight champion aged just 19. He was a fearsome knockout artist in his early career who, it is often said, had many men beaten even before they stepped into the ring, such was the ferociousness of his character.
Within one year in the late 80s, Tyson unified all three of the major titles and stopped the previously unbeaten Michael Spinks in just 91 seconds. In 1990, however, he was stopped by Buster Douglas out at Japan’s Tokyo Dome in one of boxing’s most famous upsets.
After time spent behind bars, he returned to the sport in 1995 and went on to regain the WBC title against Frank Bruno. ‘Iron’ Mike would then have two fights with Evander Holyfield, losing the first and then getting disqualified in the second for biting his opponent’s ear.
When asked by The Ring Magazine who was the best overall fighter he ever faced, Tyson had one clear pick.
“Holyfield. Great champion, chin, heart, determination, work ethic, demeanour.”
Tyson was scheduled to make a shock return to the ring in July, almost 20 years after retiring following a defeat by journeyman Kevin McBride who stopped him in his last fight in 2005,
However, the proposed bout with YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul was postponed until November due to an ulcer flare-up. It’s a fight many think should not be happening, but retired former champion James Toney predicts that Tyson can end it in just 30 seconds.
