Mike Tyson is one of the most fearsome knockout artists of all time but when quizzed on the best puncher that he faced during his professional career, ‘Iron Mike’ provided a definitive response.
Tyson shared the ring with a number of legendary fighters but he is best known for his captivating rise toward and retention of the heavyweight world title, which we won at the record-breaking age of 20 years old and defended on nine occasions.
A famous defeat to Buster Douglas ended that reign but Tyson got his hands on world honours for a second time when he halted Frank Bruno six years later, only for Evander Holyfield to intervene and dethrone Tyson once again.
During his Ring Magazine ‘Best I Faced’ feature, ‘Iron’ Mike named Holyfield as the best and biggest punching opponent of his career, despite ‘The Real Deal’ originally campaigning as a cruiserweight and Tyson suffering bruising stoppages to the likes of Lennox Lewis and Douglas.
“Holyfield [was the biggest puncher]: He threw terrific shots with both hands and with bad intentions.”
Tyson and Holyfield rematched in 1997, where Tyson was disqualified for biting the ear of his rival in one of the most infamous moments in boxing history.
The Alabama-born champion would then go on to make two further defences of the heavyweight titles, including a unification with IBF champion Michael Moorer, until a draw and eventual defeat to Lennox Lewis cost him his belts. When all was said and done for Holyfield, he hung up the gloves with 29 knockouts from 44 wins.
