Larry Holmes, the former heavyweight champion, believes Muhammad Ali would knock out Mike Tyson in a hypothetical matchup. Holmes, who fought both boxing legends, shared his prediction in a recent interview with TMZ Sports.
Ali and Tyson are both considered among the greatest heavyweights in boxing history, with a combined six world heavyweight championship wins between them. Ali dominated the sport in the 1960s and 1970s, securing memorable victories against formidable opponents like Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier, and George Foreman. His iconic fight against Foreman, known as "The Rumble In The Jungle," remains one of boxing's most famous bouts.
Tyson burst onto the scene in the mid-1980s, quickly rising to stardom. He made history in 1986 when he defeated Trevor Berbick for the WBC heavyweight title, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion ever – a record that still stands today.
Despite Tyson's impressive career, Holmes favors Ali in this dream matchup. He explained his reasoning to TMZ Sports:
"Mike Tyson would get beat up 'cause he's a face fighter. He comes in down low, and Muhammad Ali is a jabber. He'd get that jab in there just like he did with Joe Frazier. So, Mike Tyson would have to get around that jab, and he'd have a lot of problems getting around that jab."
Holmes concluded that Ali would ultimately knock Tyson out.
The former champ's insight comes from first-hand experience. Holmes faced Ali in October 1980 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. He won the fight by a 10th round knockout, in what turned out to be the penultimate bout of Ali's career. However, Holmes faced criticism for fighting Ali, as many felt the boxing legend's health had already begun to decline.
While we'll never know how a prime Ali vs. Tyson fight would have played out, Holmes' prediction adds an interesting perspective to this long-debated fantasy matchup.
