Evander Holyfield won two big fights against Mike Tyson in the 1990s. The former undisputed cruiserweight and heavyweight champ thinks he could've beaten Tyson even when 'Iron Mike' was at his best.
Holyfield first fought Tyson in 1996. At the time, Tyson held the WBA heavyweight title. Holyfield, the challenger, stopped Tyson in the 11th round and took the belt.
Their next fight got a lot of attention, but not for the right reasons. It's now known as the "Bite fight" because Tyson bit Holyfield's ear in the third round. The ref disqualified Tyson for this move.
People often wonder if Holyfield could've beaten Tyson when Tyson was in his prime. In the late 1980s, Tyson was on top of the boxing world. He beat big names like Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks. He even became the youngest world heavyweight champ ever.
When asked about this, Holyfield didn't hesitate. He said he could've won. In an interview, Holyfield explained his thinking:
"Yes. I don't think a man in this world can't be beat. Everyone has their day. Tyson has proven he is the champion that he is but I know that my day is coming."
Holyfield kept boxing for many years after beating Tyson. He feels he deserves to be called the greatest of all time.
These fights between Holyfield and Tyson are still talked about today. They show how unpredictable boxing can be, and how one fighter's belief in themselves can change everything.
