Evander Holyfield, the undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champion, recently weighed in on who between George Foreman and Mike Tyson had the heavier punch. During an interview with FightHype, Holyfield unequivocally stated that Foreman’s punches were more powerful. This comparison gained interest following Oleksandr Usyk's victory over Tyson Fury, sparking discussions about punching power among legendary boxers.
Holyfield faced both Foreman and Tyson in highly notable bouts during his illustrious career. He retained three heavyweight belts against Foreman in 1991, a title he initially won from Buster Douglas. His fights with Tyson were marked by controversy, including a notorious ear-biting incident, leading to a stoppage victory and a win by disqualification for Holyireld. When asked to compare their punching power, Holyfield highlighted that Foreman's punches felt “heavier and more clubbing” compared to Tyson's.
George Foreman, known as "Big George," is celebrated for his heavy and impactful boxing style which is reflected in his impressive 84% knockout ratio. He made history as the oldest heavyweight world champion and secured wins over three future Hall of Famers, establishing a legendary status in the boxing community.
Mike Tyson, famously nicknamed "Iron Mike," is well-regarded for his explosive and dynamic fighting style. His boxing career boasts an impressive record of 44 knockout wins, including 10 in title fights. Recently, there has been much talk around his controversial comeback fight set against Jake Paul in 2023.
Additionally, the hypothetical matchup between Foreman and Tyson, termed as an encounter between “an immovable force and an unstoppable object,” was speculated back in 1987 but never materialized. This remains one of the great 'what-ifs' in boxing history.
