Mike Tyson has picked Jose Ribalta as the only heavyweight who could handle his full power punches. The former champion called Ribalta "the best chin of anyone" he faced in the ring.
Tyson started his pro career in 1985 at just 18 years old. He quickly made a name for himself, winning his first 19 fights by knockout. Of those, 12 ended in the first round.
At 20, Tyson got his first world title. He stopped Trevor Berbick in the second round to win the WBC heavyweight belt in Las Vegas. By 21, he'd added the WBA and IBF titles to become the undisputed champion. He beat James Smith and Tony Tucker to get there.
'Iron Mike' faced 58 opponents in his career. He lost for the first time in 1990 to James 'Buster' Douglas in what many call one of boxing's biggest upsets.
But it's Ribalta who stands out in Tyson's memory. He told The Ring Magazine:
"I hit Jose Ribalta with everything, and he took everything and kept coming back for more."
Ribalta, from Cuba, was known as a tough fighter. He often served as a 'gatekeeper' for the heavyweight division. He fought big names like Larry Holmes, Vitali Klitschko, Frank Bruno, and Tim Witherspoon before retiring in 1999.
Tyson faced Ribalta just a few months before his showdown with Berbick. The fight took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ribalta got knocked down several times but kept getting up. Tyson finally stopped him in the tenth and final round.
Tyson's praise for Ribalta's chin speaks volumes. It's a big compliment from a man who knocked out so many opponents in his prime.
