Mike Tyson delivered on a promise to Muhammad Ali by knocking out one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
At the peak of his powers, the New Yorker was a truly terrifying competitor, capable of finishing anyone he fought with just a single shot.
The scrapper utilized his trademark peek-a-boo style to bamboozle his opponents before unleashing thunderous combinations.
During his career, the warrior beat many a big name, but one victory meant more than all the rest, because he did it for his hero.
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Mike Tyson promised Muhammad Ali he’d beat Larry Holmes
On January 22, 1988, Mike Tyson defended his WBA, WBC and IBF world championships against Larry Holmes, inside the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.
In an absolutely devastating performance, ‘Iron Mike’ rendered ‘Easton Assassin’ unconscious with a dynamite right hand.
The victory in and of itself was spectacular, but it meant so much to Tyson because he assured the greatest to ever do it, that he’d pull it off several years before he actually did.
In an interview on The Conan Show, the combination puncher explained: “My adopted father and mentor Cus D’Amato, was very close with Muhammad Ali. A lot of famous fighters called Cus, and when they did, I’d be on the other phone listening to the conversation.
“Ali had just lost to Larry Holmes. The next morning, they were talking on the phone. All of a sudden, he says, ‘I’ve got a 14-year-old kid here, he’s going to be champion of the world, tell him to listen to me’.
“He put me on the phone. Ali was telling me that he was going to come back and knock Holmes out, and I was crying while he was saying it.” I said, ‘I’m going to get him for you’. I did get him.”
When the night of the fight finally came, Ali entered the ring and had one simple message for Tyson, who can still remember the trash-talker whispering in his ear: “Get him for me.”
George Foreman claims Mike Tyson ‘ran’ away from him during awkward encounter about legend vs legend fight
While Tyson had a fantastic showdown with one former Ali opponent, there was another who’d have loved to have shared the ring with him.
George Foreman was desperate to battle it out with the superstar.
The Texan publicly declared he’d finish his rival with ease and also opened up about an interesting interaction they had.
During a televised interview, Foreman said Tyson literally ran away from him.