Boxing legend Mike Tyson has finally issued a response to Deontay Wilder’s prediction of beating him in a potential heavyweight fight in the squared circle.
Last year, the American knockout artist made a bold statement about his chances against ‘Iron Mike’ if he faced him in his prime.
Wilder, who has 41 knockout wins in 43 professional bouts, confidently said he would outclass Tyson in the ring as he believes he is the best in the sport whether it’s old school or new school boxing.
“Me vs. Tyson in ’86, I’d kick the hell outta that guy,” he told TMZ in a previous interview.
“Listen, I’ve got to keep it real. I know people always go back to the old school or look at the new school and there’s no school where I’m not No. 1 on earth.”
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Very Special
Tyson’s former rival and another former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis has made it clear he was against Wilder’s prediction, saying ‘Iron Mike’ was way more powerful than the current WBC champ.
“I just heard Deontay Wilder said he would destroy a young Mike Tyson,” Lewis said.
“My thoughts are that it’s easy to talk until you actually get in the ring.”
“I like Wilder but he’s never been in there with someone that ferocious who truly wants to break his ribs with every punch. I don’t see it.”
In a surprising response, the 53-year old legend finally breaks his silence on Wilder’s bold claim.
“I don’t know (whether I’d beat him),” Tyson said in a recent interview with BT Sports about a potential fight with ‘The Bronze Bomber”
“I love the fact that he thinks that, because that’s the way I would think as well.”
“He’s supposed to think that way, he is the heavyweight champion of the world and that’s something very special.”
Heavyweight GOAT
After two tune-up fights, Wilder will return to action on Saturday as he takes on his fiercest rival, Tyson Fury, in their highly-anticipated rematch at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Regarded as one of the hardest punchers in history, the knockout sensation is setting his sights on becoming the greatest heavyweight ever to grace the squared circle.
“When I leave boxing, I will be known as the one that was the best ever in the heavyweight division, if not in boxing, period. That’s my goal,” Wilder said.
“When I retire, people are going to be upset, because they’re going to want to see more.”
“I try to provide them with a lot of things while I’m here. That’s why I say, ‘give me my roses now. Love me now.’
“Because I am the best to have ever done this. I am the hardest-hitting puncher in boxing history.”
(Featured Image Source: Instagram/ Mike Tyson and Deontay Wilder)