Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield would easily be considered to be most fighters’ toughest ever opponents.
As two of the greatest heavyweights of all time, Tyson and Holyfield have a combined record of 94-17-2, as both men were impressive world champions.
One common opponent that the two share is Larry Holmes, who was defeated by both Tyson and Holyfield. However, despite these results, Holmes named another opponent as his toughest test.
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Larry Holmes names Ken Norton as his toughest ever opponent
Given the names on his resume, Tyson or Holyfield would be most boxing fans’ first guess in regard to ‘The Easton Assassin’s’ toughest opponent. You could even include Holmes’ good friend Muhammad Ali in the conversation.
However, it was another fighter who got the title from the former champion.
Speaking to TMZSports, Holmes was asked if he thought his toughest opponent was Tyson, to which Holmes responded, ‘no.’
“My toughest opponent was Kenny Norton. When I fought Mike Tyson, I was over the hill a little bit.”
Holmes fought Ken Norton in 1978, defeating the then-champion via split decision after 15 rounds.
Holmes then went on to explain his disappointment that a fight was never made between him and George Foreman. “He wouldn’t fight me.”
It was also mentioned in the past that Holmes could not get Riddick Bowe to accept a fight with him.
Mike Tyson is the only man to stop Larry Holmes in his career
Despite being aged 52 when Holmes fought Butterbean in his final career fight, the former world champion was only stopped once in his career.
The sole knockout loss on his record was caused by Tyson, as the two met in 1988. In a fight that Holmes feels he could have won, he was stopped in the fourth round by ‘Iron Mike’.
Holmes was also able to survive the power of Holyfield, who had won 23 of his 27 fights via knockout when they met.
In Holmes’ losses to Michael Spinks, he was bested via decision, as well as a 1995 meeting with Oliver McCall.