Holmes fought Ali in October 1980 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The bout ended with Holmes winning by a 10th round knockout. It was Ali's second-to-last fight, and his deteriorating health was evident. Eight years later, in January 1988, Holmes stepped into the ring with Tyson and lost.
This unique experience gives Holmes a rare perspective on how these two iconic fighters might have matched up. He explained his prediction:
"Mike Tyson would take a beating because he's a face fighter. He comes in from the bottom, and Muhammad Ali is a jabber. He would nail him with the jab like he did Joe Frazier. So Mike Tyson would have to dodge that jab and he'd have a lot of trouble doing it."
Ali dominated the heavyweight division in the 1960s and 1970s. His quick feet, sharp jab, and ability to "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" led him to victories over formidable opponents like Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
Tyson burst onto the scene in the 1980s, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he defeated Trevor Berbick for the WBC title in 1986. His record still stands today. Tyson's style was all about aggression, coming in low and unleashing powerful combinations.
Both fighters left an indelible mark on boxing history. While we'll never know for sure how a prime Ali vs. prime Tyson bout would have played out, Holmes' insight adds an interesting dimension to this perennial debate among boxing fans.