Mike Tyson and Muhammad Ali are both true legends of boxing and have helped to shape the sport. Although they never shared the ring with one another, there was a promise made between the pair.
Tyson would make his professional boxing debut in 1985, four years after Ali stepped into the ring for the final time. With very different fighting styles, they are both among the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.
The two legends have shared conversations with one another over the years, including the likes of talk show appearances with one another.
With the two boxers having a good relationship, a young Tyson made a promise to Ali.
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Mike Tyson made Muhammad Ali a promise over the phone
In what would be Ali’s final world title fight, and second-last bout of his career, he lost to Larry Holmes in a 10th round stoppage in 1980.
The fight in Las Vegas would see Ali come out of retirement to face then undefeated fighter Holmes, who bested ‘The Greatest’ in a one-sided affair.
At the time of the fight, Tyson was just 14 years of age. Watching the fight with his coach and mentor Cus D’Amato, they were disheartened to see the icon lose in such dominant fashion.
Following the loss, D’Amato called Ali, Tyson told ESPN.
His coach would then hand Tyson the phone, where the young fighter would make the promise to avenge Ali’s loss.
“Ali got the s**t kicked out of him. Cus was mad… I’d never seen him that angry before,” Tyson said. “Don’t worry champ,” Tyson told Ali when given the phone. “When I get big, I’m going to get him [Holmes] for you.”
Mike Tyson handed Larry Holmes his first knockout loss
Tyson would have to wait eight years after he made his promise to Ali to take on Holmes. However, when the pair met in Atlantic City in 1988, ‘Iron Mike’ was a man of his word.
Just 21 years of age, Tyson went into the bout as the heavyweight champion, with Holmes looking to claim his titles back after back-to-back losses to Michael Spinks.
Despite being the fighter with more experience, a ferocious approach from Tyson was too much for Holmes to handle.
Two knockdowns in the fourth round would spell the end for Holmes, who wouldn’t be able to return to his feet for a third time. It would be the first and only time that the fighter was stopped, as Tyson kept his promise.
Tyson would go on to continue his good form following the fight, earning four knockouts in a row. In this stretch included Tyson’s incredible 93 second knockout over Spinks, whom had dethroned Holmes.