Evander Holyfield thinks Mike Tyson would beat George Foreman if they fought in their prime. The former heavyweight champ shared his thoughts in a recent chat with Mail Sport Boxing.
Holyfield's opinion carries weight. He's gone toe-to-toe with both fighters, spending 12 rounds with Foreman and 14 with Tyson. He beat Foreman by unanimous decision and stopped Tyson in their first fight. Their rematch ended when Tyson got disqualified for biting Holyfield's ear.
Tyson and Foreman never actually fought each other. They came close before Tyson's shock loss to James 'Buster' Douglas in Tokyo. That upset shook up the boxing world and changed the course of heavyweight history.
'Iron' Mike always wanted to face 'Big' George. After he first retired in 2005, Tyson told Ring Magazine:
"I would have liked to fight George Foreman. There have been many fans who wondered who was the bigger puncher. I would have liked to put an end to the discussion – one way or the other."
Foreman made an incredible comeback after a ten-year break from the ring. He set out to win back the world heavyweight championship and did just that. In 1994, he knocked out Michael Moorer to grab the IBF and WBA belts. At 45, he became the oldest ever world heavyweight champ, a record he still holds today.
Holyfield knows both fighters well. He became the undisputed champ after beating Douglas and defended his title against Foreman. When asked who'd win between Tyson and Foreman in their prime, Holyfield didn't pause. He picked Tyson, basing his choice on his firsthand experience with both men.
