Mike Tyson, one of the most feared heavyweights in boxing history, has given high praise to unbeaten two-weight world champion David Benavidez. Tyson called Benavidez unbeatable and said he'd be scared to face him if they were in the same division.
The former heavyweight champ from New York started his pro career in 1985. A year later, at just 20 years old, Tyson became the youngest world heavyweight champion ever. He knocked out WBC champ Trevor Berbick in the second round. By 21, Tyson had collected all the major belts, beating James Smith for the WBA title and Tony Tucker for the IBF.
Now 58, Tyson's last fight was a controversial showdown with Jake Paul last November. But he's still watching the sport closely and has his eye on Benavidez.
Known as "The Monster", Benavidez is the new WBC light-heavyweight champ at just 28. He picked up the belt after Dmitry Bivol gave it up to chase a trilogy fight with Artur Beterbiev.
In a recent chat with ESNEWS, Tyson couldn't stop praising the Phoenix fighter:
"I like him against everybody. He's so underrated but so over-polarised here. Listen, I'd be afraid to fight him too if I was in that division. No one even has a chance against him, and I'm talking facts."
Benavidez plans to defend his title for the first time this summer. Callum Smith might be his opponent.
Tyson's words carry a lot of weight. He knows what it's like to be young, unbeaten, and feared. Now he sees those same qualities in Benavidez.
