Anthony Joshua “would have knocked out a prime Mike Tyson” according to Larry Holmes
Larry Holmes is a former boxing world heavyweight champion from 1978 until 1985, but once became a victim of Mike Tyson and his incredible power as Holmes was knocked out in the fourth round of their title fight in New Jersey.
Now 73 years of age, the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and only man to defeat Muhammad Ali by stoppage, is making a bold claim.
Holmes believes that fellow former champion Anthony Joshua would have been able to knock Tyson out in his prime.
Joshua is a two-time former unified world heavyweight champion, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA) (Super version), International Boxing Federation (IBF), and World Boxing Organization (WBO) titles.
Tyson (50-6-2 record in boxing, 44 knockouts) is regarded as arguably the greatest “fighter” in boxing, gaining notoriety for his early knockout wins and intimidating demeanor.
“If he fought a guy like Mike Tyson, he’d win,” Holmes said, as quoted by The Express. “He would have knocked out a prime Mike Tyson. There’s no reckon about it.
“Mike Tyson went down low and then came up and tried to throw roundhouses. But Joshua would just hit him with a straight right hand on the side of his damn chin and Mike wouldn’t get up.
“He never fought anyone who was coming up and trying to make their way in the sport. He just went in there – bang, bang, bang and knocked everyone out. That’s how he got the reputation as a puncher.
“I’m not taking anything away from Mike Tyson – he kicked my a**. But I was out for two years, I had quit boxing, I hadn’t done anything for two years apart from sing with the band and travel.”
