Mike Tyson remains one of the greatest heavyweights in boxing’s long history.
The ferocious puncher rose to stardom during the early stages of the 1980s, winning his first 19 professional contests inside the scheduled distance.
Tyson’s crowning moment came on November 22 1986 when he sensationally knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round, capturing the WBC heavyweight title and becoming the youngest world heavyweight champion ever, an incredible record which still stands today.
After his impressive victory over Berbick in Las Vegas, Tyson went on to add the WBA and IBF titles to his collection with victories over James Smith and Tony Tucker respectively, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion in the process.
Despite coming up against a number of great opponents during his era, ‘Iron’ Mike once admitted there was one fighter who he would avoid at all costs.
In an interview with CNN, Tyson revealed how he would have never clashed with former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe, claiming it would have been ‘too disrespectful’ to fight someone he was friends with.
“I love Riddick Bowe. We went to school together. I don’t think I would fight him, two friends shouldn’t hurt each other, it’s just too disrespectful.
The only reason you put your hands on somebody even in a street fight if you’re conscious is because you have no respect for them. Kids fight because they don’t know any better. But as grown men fighting, if they’re conscious, the only reason I’ll put my hands on you is because I have no respect for you if we have a fight.”
Bowe enjoyed a glittering professional career, holding the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1992. ‘Big Daddy’ also suffered just one defeat during his tenure to Evander Holyfield, which he would go on to avenge in their 1995 trilogy contest.
