Legendary Heavyweight Champion Finally Admits He Refused To Fight Mike Tyson For The Title
Mike Tyson is often referred to as one of the most formidable heavyweights in boxing history.
The 58-year-old from New York began his professional career in 1985, winning 27 fights before challenging Trevor Berbick for the WBC heavyweight title in November 1986. ‘Iron’ Mike blasted Berbick out in the 2nd-round to become the youngest world heavyweight champion history at just 20-years-old, a record that still stands today.
Tyson would go on to hold the undisputed heavyweight championship for three years between 1987 and 1990, successfully defending his crown against the likes of Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks and Frank Bruno along the way.
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One man that ‘Iron’ Mike never ended up facing during his illustrious career is heavyweight legend George Foreman, who still holds the record as being the oldest world heavyweight champion in boxing history.
Speaking in an interview with Max Kellerman, Foreman admitted he wanted no part of Tyson when he became champion in 1994.
I called him Mike ‘Nightmare’ Tyson, that guy was a nightmare in the ring, I mean really. If he missed you with his left, then miss you with his right, he’d bite you. I didn’t wanna have anything to do with that guy. No way”
‘Big’ George and Tyson were linked together for a clash when Tyson’s release from a three year stint in prison in early 1995 coincided with Foreman famously regaining the heavyweight championship of the world.
Foreman defeated Michael Moorer in November 1994 at 45-years-old, capturing the WBA and IBF heavyweight titles from Moorer in Las Vegas. He would go on to fight on four more occasions before retiring from the sport shortly after he was defeated by Shannon Briggs in November 1997.
