George Foreman, a boxing legend, has admitted he wanted nothing to do with Mike Tyson in the ring. The former heavyweight champion made this surprising revelation during a recent interview with Max Kellerman.
Foreman's career spanned three decades and included some incredible achievements. He captured the world heavyweight championship twice and is considered one of the greatest heavyweights in boxing history. His record as the oldest world heavyweight champion still stands today.
The boxer's career had three distinct phases. His initial run ended in 1977 with a shock defeat to Jimmy Young. After that, Foreman stepped away from the ring for a decade to become a preacher. Financial difficulties brought him back to boxing, leading to a remarkable comeback.
The highlight of Foreman's return came in late 1994 when he defeated Michael Moorer to claim the WBA and IBF titles. This victory cemented his place in history as the oldest world heavyweight champion ever.
Throughout his career, Foreman faced many notable opponents including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, and Ken Norton. But there's one fighter he's glad he never had to face - Mike Tyson.
In an interview with Max Kellerman, Foreman explained why he saw Tyson as a "nightmare" in the ring:
"I called him Mike 'Nightmare' Tyson, that guy was a nightmare in the ring, I mean really. If he missed you with his left, then miss you with his right, he'd bite you. I didn't wanna have anything to do with that guy."
While rumors suggested Foreman and Tyson came close to agreeing on a showdown in the early 1990s, the fight never materialized. Tyson's unique style had already made him the youngest world heavyweight champion ever in 1986 when he knocked out Trevor Berbick in the second round.
Foreman's admission sheds new light on the respect and perhaps fear that Tyson commanded in the boxing world, even from one of the sport's most formidable champions.
