Mike Tyson would've beaten George Foreman in their prime, according to Evander Holyfield. The boxing legend, who fought and defeated both men, shared his thoughts in a recent interview with Mail Sport.
Holyfield knows a thing or two about facing tough opponents. He captured Olympic Bronze in 1984 and went on to become the undisputed champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. He was the first boxer to achieve this feat, snagging all three major belts at cruiserweight in just 18 fights.
In the heavyweight ranks, Holyfield racked up wins against big names like Larry Holmes and Ray Mercer. But it's his victories over Mike Tyson that he cherishes most. He stopped Tyson in their first encounter and won the infamous "ear-biting" rematch by disqualification.
Holyfield also faced George Foreman, beating the big man by unanimous decision. With experience against both fighters, he's well-placed to weigh in on a hypothetical matchup.
"I think Mike Tyson would've won," Holyfield told Mail Sport.
Fans have long debated this dream fight that never happened. In the late 1980s, it looked like a real possibility. Foreman was on a comeback trail, aiming to reclaim the heavyweight title. But Tyson's shock loss to Buster Douglas in 1990 derailed those plans.
Tyson has since expressed regret about not facing Foreman. Many believe the fight wouldn't have gone the distance, given both men's power. Foreman was known for his thudding shots and solid chin, while Tyson brought blistering fast hooks and tricky angles.
Foreman did eventually recapture heavyweight gold. In 1994, he knocked out Michael Moorer to win the IBF and WBA titles, becoming the oldest heavyweight champ in history.
As for Tyson, he recently returned to the ring to face Jake Paul, showing he's still got that fighting spirit. But according to Holyfield, even 'Big George' in his prime wouldn't have been enough to handle 'Iron Mike'.
