Mike Tyson is widely considered to be one of the most ferocious heavyweights to have ever laced up a pair of boxing gloves.
‘Iron Mike’ began his rise to dominance in the sport during the mid 1980s, making his professional debut at just 18 years and 249 days back in March of 1985.
He wrote his name into the boxing history books just 18 months later when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round of their Las Vegas clash to capture the WBC heavyweight title and become the youngest heavyweight champion ever.
Tyson enjoyed even more success in the months that followed with respective victories over WBA champion James Smith and IBF champion Tony Tucker, achieving undisputed status just days after his 21st birthday.
Speaking to The Ring Magazine, ‘Iron Mike’ was asked to single out the best defensive opponent he ever faced during his career, naming none other than former long-reigning world heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.
“I have to say Larry Holmes even though I did win inside the distance. He was very tough to hit cleanly.”
Tyson defeated Holmes in what was the second defence of his undisputed heavyweight championship in 1988, stopping ‘The Easton Assassin’ in the fourth round of their showdown at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Prior to his defeat to Tyson, Holmes reigned as the world heavyweight champion for seven years between 1978 and 1985, making no less than 20 successful defences of his crown before he lost the belt when he was dethroned by Michael Spinks.
