MIKE TYSON believes he would “no doubt” have beaten Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua in his prime before unifying all the belts.
The American fan-favourite retired in 2005 but still reigns as the youngest heavyweight champion of all time at 20 years old.
Mike Tyson insisted during his prime he would beat any of the current contendersCredit: AFP – Getty
The 53-year-old was asked by fans online whether a prime Tyson would have reigned as the undisputed world champion today, owning all four belts.
Tyson, who would need to beat Fury and Joshua to do so, replied: “Yes.
“Listen, if you’re asking me if I was 20 years old, Yes, there’s no doubt.
“They’re really good fighters and I respect all these skills. It would have been very tough fighting them.”
Tyson unified the WBA, WBC and IBF belts during his career but after twice losing to Evander Holyfield, in 1996 and then a year later, he never reclaimed the title.
However, he was recently crowned the winner of the World Boxing Super Series virtual tournament, beating Muhammad Ali on points.
Despite the online success amid the coronavirus pandemic, Tyson admitted he could never have beaten the Greatest if they were to have fought.
He told Yahoo Sports: “I know it’s a fantasy game. Most likely I would win the fantasy, I wouldn’t win the real fight.
“Ali’s the greatest there’s ever been.”
And Ali’s eldest son Jr agrees – insisting “street fighter” Tyson could “never hold up” to his iconic dad in the ring.
He said: “My father would have kicked his butt. Everybody says Mike Tyson would have kicked my father’s butt. I said no.
“Tyson can’t go the distance. He couldn’t go fifteen rounds.
“He’s not a boxer. He’s a street fighter. He’s a knockout artist. He can never hold up to my father.”
Tyson Fury is the current WBC heavyweight championCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Tyson says he would have beaten Anthony JoshuaCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Tyson admits he would not have beaten Muhammad AliCredit: Getty – Contributor
Throwback footage of a terrifying Mike Tyson shows his boxing skill in sparring session
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
