Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson asked YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul one question in a new video ahead of their fight.
“Day three, you still wanna f**k with me?” Tyson said at the end of a montage of his training for the July 20 bout that was shared on X, formerly Twitter.
Paul replied, “Yes, yes I do.”
Tyson, 57, began training last week for his clash against Paul, 27, which will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Netflix will broadcast the fight.
Tyson has shared clips of his training on X each day.
“It’s day one, the fun has just begun,” he said in his first one:
“Day two, getting ready for you,” he warned in the second:
On day four, Tyson said Paul “don’t know what you got in store.”
Tyson’s last exhibition fight in November 2020 was a split draw with Roy Jones Jr. when Paul was on the undercard. Paul’s professional record is 9-1 with his only loss coming last year to Tommy Fury, the former United Kingdom “Love Island” star who won via split decision.
At this point, it’s pretty well known that Maynard James Keenan is a man with passions stretching beyond his work in the bands Tool, Puscifer, A Perfect Circle and Failure — which he’s celebrating this week with the release of an album with an unbelievably ugly cover — and into things like Jenga and, perhaps most infamously, Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Earlier this year, he earned his black belt with moves that he believes could have saved Chris Rock from being slapped to death. The vocalist also runs his own jiu-jitsu school, Verde Valley BJJ, in Cottonwood, AZ, where boxing legend Mike Tyson has apparently been training for his live-on-Netflix comeback fight against former YouTuber Jake Paul.
As pointed out by Metal Injection, Keenan took to Instagram over the weekend to share a couple photos of him and Tyson, writing, “Honored to have @miketyson grace our small town academy, @verdevalleybjj . His Training Camp for @jakepaul vs @miketyson began under our roof. Gonna be bragging about that for a bit. Long after y’all are tired of hearing about it. Deal w it.”
If you’re into that sort of thing, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson live boxing event happens at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, on July 20, streaming live on Netflix as the platform’s third live sports event.
Rafael Cordeiro doesn’t want fans to worry ahead of the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match.
The longtime head of Kings MMA has developed quite a friendship with ‘Iron Mike’ over the years. In 2020, when Mike Tyson was looking to make a comeback to the ring, he began training with Cordeiro. In the years since then, the two have remained close, and the MMA trainer has held pads for the legend.
This summer, Rafael Cordeiro will look to coach Mike Tyson to his first victory in over two decades. Earlier this month, the boxing legend signed a deal to face Jake Paul, on July 20th on Netflix. The two will meet in front of 85,000 fans at AT&T Stadium in Texas, which is known for housing the Dallas Cowboys.
However, since the fight announcement, many have expressed concern for Mike Tyson. It makes sense, given the fact that the legend is now 57 years old. Still, he’s promised to score a knockout win over Jake Paul this summer, and his trainer is fully on his side. Cordeiro recently discussed the bout in an appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.
There, the MMA trainer tried to quell fears that Mike Tyson was going to get badly hurt this summer. Cordeiro stated that despite the legend’s age, he knows what he’s doing in the ring. That won’t change with Jake Paul standing across from him.
RELATED: DANIEL CORMIER DOESN’T HOLD BACK ON JAKE PAUL VS. MIKE TYSON: “IT ABSOLUTELY SUCKS”
Image via: @netflix on Instagram
MMA trainer Rafael Cordeiro opens up on Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match
“I believe we don’t have to be concerned about it.” Rafael Cordeiro responded to Ariel Helwani‘s question about fans’ concern for Mike Tyson ahead of his boxing match with Jake Paul. “We’re talking about a two-time world champion. The guy didn’t have 20 fights in two years, he knows how to fight. He’s fought against the best guys in the world. When he steps inside the ring he knows what to do.”
He continued, “It’s not something new for Mike, and this fight is no different. He works hard every single day to go in there and try to knock Jake out from the beginning to the end. This is his style, nobody has teach Mike Tyson how to fight. He’s going to prove that in July. You can see fire in his eyes when he trains, and he will never give less than that.”
“I truly believe it is going to be a great show.” Rafael Cordeiro concluded, speaking about Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. “Mike is going to step into the ring as the old Mike Tyson, and he’s going to try and knock out Jake from the beginning to the end.”
What do you make of these comments from Rafael Cordeiro? Will you watch Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson in July?
Who is favourite to win the controversial clash between Tyson and Paul?
HIGHLIGHTS
The Tyson vs Paul fight is set to attract major betting interest around the world.
Tyson has impressed in workout footage, leading to odds on him winning the bout shortening.
A number of additional markets are expected to be offered closer to the fight.
Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson will square off with social media superstar Jake Paul in one of the most bizarre contests in recent boxing history on July 20th. Come fight night at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, there will be an age difference of some three decades between the two men. For that reason, the 57-year-old Tyson opened up as a significant underdog with oddsmakers for the contest.
However, ‘Iron Mike’ has been keen to let his millions of fans around the world know that he has already begun training for the contest, sharing daily videos of himself in sparring. So far, the 58-fight veteran has only posted brief clips of himself working out on the pads, but the level of enthusiasm he has for being back in the gym and preparing for a major fight is clear to see.
Tyson Shares Workout Footage as he Begins Training Camp For Jake Paul Showdown
“I’m Getting Ready,” Insists Tyson
In his second consecutive daily update ahead of the fight, Tyson bellowed: “Day two. I’m getting ready for you,” in a message to Paul. The video then cut to the former six-time heavyweight champion hammering away with swift blows to the pads. Such was the force Tyson was unloading with that his trainer was clearly feeling the pace of the session by the time the fighter threw his final blow.
While there is a major difference between throwing combinations for a few seconds in an edited video and competing in a full fight, the boxing legend has clearly impressed some viewers with his output as the odds on Tyson winning the bout tumbled after he began posting footage of his training. Per data provided by Oddschecker, Tyson has shortened in price with 10 of the 11 bookmakers offering betting action on the fight since Monday.
Mike Tyson Vs Jake Paul Odds
‘The Problem Child’ Remains Favourite
Mike Tyson v Jake Paul – Odds to Win Fight
Boxer
Odds to win (UK)
Odds to Win (US)
Mike Tyson
11/8
+137.5
Jake Paul
4/7
-175
Odds taken per Bet 365 – correct as of 15/03/2024
At time of writing, Paul is the 4/7 favourite for the contest – meaning that a £10 bet on him to win would return a £5.71 profit (in addition to the £10 stake) if he has his hand raised. Meanwhile, the same £10 wager on Tyson would return a £13.75 profit (again, in addition to the £10 stake).
Such is the expected interest in the Netflix-streamed clash that more markets no doubt will be added as we get closer to the fight itself. Boxing fans will likely be able to bet on whether the bout will end by knockout, the number of rounds the action will last and whether the fight will go the distance. The delay to these markets being added is due to a large amount of uncertainty as to the exact rules that the bout will be contested under.
Respected combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani recently shared an update as to the status of the fight, dismissing rumours that the participants will be wearing headgear and indicating that both Tyson and Paul want their duel sanctioned as a professional heavyweight contest.
The former heavyweight world champion is clearly taking his clash with the social media star seriously.
HIGHLIGHTS
Mike Tyson, 58, has shown off his incredible physique ahead of his showdown with Jake Paul.
The pair will clash the AT&T Stadium in Dallas on July 20.
Tyson has vowed to finish Paul in their bout
Former boxing heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson has shown off his ripped physique ahead of his clash with YouTube and social media sensation Jake Paul. The two stars will clash at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on July 20 in a highly-anticipated showdown that will be streamed live around the world on Netflix
The fight announcement came just days after ‘The Problem Child’ sensationally knocked out Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico. It took the viral sensation a mere two minutes and 37 seconds to finish his opponent in brutal fashion. In 58-fight veteran Tyson, Paul faces a far more experienced foe – and there will be an age gap of more than three decades between the two men come fight night. ‘Iron Mike’, however, plans to make that experience count by ending the bout in emphatic style.
In an official statement released, via ESPN, Tyson said: “[Paul has] grown significantly as a boxer over the years, so it will be a lot of fun to see what the will and ambition of a ‘kid’ can do with the experience and aptitude of a GOAT. It’s a full-circle moment that will be beyond thrilling to watch, as I started him on his boxing journey on the undercard of my fight with Roy Jones, and now I plan to finish him.”
Mike Tyson RIPPED with 6% body fat at 58, several months out from his fight against Jake Paul. pic.twitter.com/lLFeOvMIkH — Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) March 15, 2024
Mike Tyson Shows off Incredible Physique
Preparation for the Fight is Well Underway
Since the official confirmation of the fight, Tyson has been making regular uploads to his social media, showing off his training regime ahead of his showdown with Paul.
On Friday evening, Tyson shared new footage of himself in training camp and his physique is highly impressive for a 57-year-old who still has four months before he returns to the ring. The former six-time heavyweight champion, who went 50-6 during his professional career, last fought in November 2020 in an eight-round exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr at the Staples Center in Los Angeles – a bout which was declared a draw.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Mike Tyson holds the record as the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title (20 years, 4 months and 22 days old).
Hours after the video went viral, Tyson himself took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to show fans just how seriously he’s taking the fight. The 57-year-old captioned the post: ”You still wanna f*** with me?”
He sent a chilling warning to his upcoming opponent. The fifteen-second clip begins with the heavyweight icon slamming a medicine ball – holding it over his head with both hands, before throwing it onto the ground with force.
You still wanna f*** with me?#PaulTyson pic.twitter.com/CqdKF4zFBJ — Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) March 16, 2024
The next sequence shows him alongside his coach throwing a flurry of combinations. A further shot sees one of his team-mates wiping some sweat off the fighter before Tyson let out a huge yell. In the final clip, Tyson looked directly into the camera and spoke directly to Paul, saying:
A video game has simulated the upcoming boxing fight, and it ends early with a huge knockout.
HIGHLIGHTS
Jake Paul will face Mike Tyson in July, and a simulation has predicted that Tyson will win via huge knockout in the second round.
The two will share the ring on the 20th of July in Texas, but Fight Night Champion has given us a simulation ahead of time.
Despite the video game result, there are serious concerns over the health and wellbeing of Mike Tyson, should the fight go ahead.
Jake Paul will be facing the legendary Mike Tyson in the latest instalment of influencer boxing this July in Arlington, Texas, although given that it involves one of the greatest heavyweights ever, it does have a bit more credibility than other fights we’ve been treated to.
The announcement of this fight is one that has shocked the world, with many confused about why a YouTuber is stepping into the ring with a 57-year-old retired veteran, who will be 58 by the time the fight comes around.
As we look ahead to the fight, which will take place on the 20th of July, a simulation of the fight on Fight Night Champion has predicted the result of the clash between the two, and the results are interesting.
Video: Simulation of Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul
The video game has predicted that Tyson will be able to knock Jake Paul down less than two minutes into the first round with a powerful left hook to the head. However, it believes in the heart of the YouTuber as he gets back up and survives into the second round, but all the judges’ scorecards give it 10-8 to Tyson.
The second round is predicted to follow a similar suit, this time with a right hook knocking out the Ohio-YouTuber in under 40 seconds. This time, however, he does not get back up and a dominant, strong performance is predicted by the computer game for Mike Tyson.
GIVEMESPORT’s Key Statistic : Mike Tyson has knocked out 44 of his opponents
Whether the game has based this on Tyson’s legacy and not taken into account his age is unknown, but regardless, boxing fans will be hoping for this result come July.
The Careers of Mike Tyson & Jake Paul
Mike Tyson’s last fight was in November 2020, an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr, who was only two years younger than Tyson at the time. The contest ended in a split decision draw.
Jake Paul, meanwhile, whose rise to fame was from a Disney Channel show, has been experimenting with boxing for the last six years, with his first fight being in 2018 against Deji, brother of KSI. Since then, he has turned professional and has had 10 fights, winning nine and losing one. Within this array of fights he has faced; A YouTuber, a basketball player, four (some retired) UFC fighters, and three boxers. His only loss was in February 2023 against Tommy Fury, which was the first time he fought an out-and-out boxer.
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Henry Cejudo has revealed just how much Mike Tyson is set to make from fighting Jake Paul.
Iron Mike’s record and legacy in the sport speaks for itself, 50-6 with an astonishing 44 KOs in his 50 wins. Undoubtedly, in his prime, he was one of the deadliest men alive and is still regarded as one of the baddest and scariest heavyweights to ever enter the ring. However, his last professional bout was a defeat in June 2005 against Kevin McBride, when Jake Paul would have been just eight years old.
Jake Paul may have started off as a Disney Channel star/YouTuber, but for roughly the last six years he has been training with top-rated boxing coaches and has really invested in the craft.
Rumours circulated that the fighters would be wearing headguards, however, Paul has now shot these down, but the actual rules are still yet to be announced. Questions over the health of Mike Tyson have also emerged after videos on social media in recent times have shown him using a support cane and a wheelchair. So why would a soon-to-be 58-year-old want to fight a 27-year-old in his prime? Maybe it’s to do with the amount of money he’s getting paid for it…
It has been almost two weeks since it was announced that the former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson will be taking on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on the 20th of July, live on Netflix – the streaming platform’s first time hosting a boxing event.
Since the announcement was made, figures of the rumoured fight purse have been thrown around and a lot of speculation has been made online, something only fuelled more recently by a UFC legend, who has seemingly leaked just how much Tyson could be set to make from the fight.
MMA veteran Henry Cejudo, alongside his co-host and fellow mixed martial arts legend Kamaru Usman, questioned Paul’s decision to fight the man 30 years his senior on his new podcast, before stating that the money on offer is just too hard to turn down.
How Much Mike Tyson is Making From Jake Paul Fight
Cejudo believes it’s around $20m
Cejudo said:“I mean, you know what I respect, Uncle Mike… But it obviously takes two to tango. I feel like there is probably a really good payday for Mike. He’s probably going to wind up making close to about 20 mil, and he’s about to turn 58 years old.”
GIVEMESPORT’s Key Statistic: Mike Tyson vs Roy Jones Jr reportedly made $80 million.
Mike Tyson & Jake Paul’s Boxing Careers
Iron Mike is long retired, but Jake is just getting started
Tyson, who went 50-6 during his 20-year professional career, last entered the ring in 2020 for an exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr in Los Angeles – a clash that was declared a draw. He has also recently helped former UFC star Francis Ngannou prepare for his fight with Tyson Fury, a bout that shocked the world and ended in a controversial loss for the Cameroonian, who managed to drop The Gypsy King in the third round.
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Despite his advancing years, Mike Tyson is set to share the ring with Jake Paul later this year, but a professional doctor has concerns.
As for The Problem Child, his boxing career has only just begun, with the former YouTuber knocking out Ryan Bourland in Puerto Rico just days before the Paul-Tyson announcement. He will enter this clash on a three-fight winning streak, last losing to Tommy Fury in February last year, his lone defeat to date.
Elsewhere in his short career, Paul has defeated the likes of Andre August, as well as former UFC stars Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz.
What Has Been Said Ahead of the Fight
Speaking ahead of the fight, Paul revealed how surreal it felt fighting one of boxing’s biggest icons, saying: “It’s crazy to think that in my second pro fight I went viral for knocking out Nate Robinson on Mike Tyson’s undercard. Now, less than four years later, I’m stepping up to face Tyson myself to see if I have what it takes to beat one of boxing’s most notorious fighters and biggest icons.
“Within just two and a half years of founding MVP, we’re about to produce the biggest fight in history, a fight in the biggest NFL stadium in the US, broadcast live, on the biggest streaming platform in the world – a testament to all we’ve accomplished in such a short amount of time.”
The fight will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, a venue with a capacity of 80,000 people and home to NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys.
Tyson Fury was in the FA Cup spirit on Sunday as the British heavyweight superstar was in attendance at Old Trafford, offering some advice for Erik ten Hag’s side and posing for a picture with legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson before kick-off.
The Gypsy King is building up to what is set to be a titanic heavyweight unification fight in May up against Oleksandr Usyk in order to produce the first undisputed champion in the division since Lennox Lewis.
A lifetime Manchester United fan, Fury was in attendance at Old Trafford ahead of kick-off between the two North West rivals to offer his own bit of advice for Ten Hag‘s side, who come into the clash as heavy underdogs.
‘In my opinion, Liverpool vs Manchester United is the most looked-forward to match of the season. Hopefully United can turn the clock back and smash them.’
But when asked how they should go about doing that, Fury looked to a technique that he claims has served him well in his own career as an unbeaten 35-fight heavyweight champion.
Tyson Fury gave Manchester United his advice ahead of kick-off against Liverpool on Sunday
Fury posed with Sir Alex Ferguson before the game and paid tribute to the ‘legendary’ boss
‘Just go out there and attack, put pressure on them, put your best foot forward and get stuck right in.
‘That usually works – it’s worked for me anyway 35 times in a row so, that’s a good tactic!’
United seemed to have heard what the Gypsy King had to say, racing into a 1-0 lead via Scott McTominay in the 10th minute of the game, though Liverpool struck through Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah to lead before the break.
It was an eventful afternoon for the heavyweight star, who was also in esteemed company with a number of legends from both United and Liverpool.
He took to Instagram to share a snap with Ferguson, the pair posing for the camera, and Fury simply captioned the post: ‘Legendary Sir Alex.’
The 35-year-old is building up to his clash with Usyk on May 18, and has taken to social media as he begins his pre-fight camp to send a message to the Ukraine as well as his millions of followers.
Fury has been chomping at the bit since the fight was postponed from its original date of February 17 after he suffered a nasty cut above his eye in training.
‘So today, it’s our nine-week anniversary until Usyk gets f***ing battered,’ Fury said in an Instagram video on March 16, trailed by fellow runners.
‘And we’re out on the front this morning, little team of us, and we’re going to jog about, I don’t know, eight, nine, ten miles.
‘Might even do a half-marathon today, who knows?
Scott McTominay scored after 10 minutes as United raced into the lead against their arch rivals
Alexis Mac Allister equalised for the visitors before the break via a hefty deflection
Fury has claimed that it is ‘nine weeks until Usyk gets f***ing battered’ by him
The Gypsy King will face Usyk on May 18 in the first unified heavyweight title contest in 24 years
‘But the one thing I do know is it’s absolutely fantastic weather, nice and fresh, on the bay.
‘Come on!’
Fury and Usyk’s fight will be a historic moment for boxing and the crown jewel in Saudi Arabia’s growing boxing influence.
They will finally meet in the ring as part of Riyadh Season in Saudi Arabia to crown the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.
Anthony Joshua has weighed in 20lbs lighter than Francis Ngannou ahead of Friday’s ‘Knockout Chaos’ showpiece in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua, who weighed in at 251lbs ahead of his victory over Otto Wallin in December, will take to the canvas as the favourite over Ngannou, despite the world’s hardest puncher impressing during his controversial split decision defeat by Tyson Fury.
AJ has put on just over a pound since defeating Wallin, registering 252.4lbs on the scales on Thursday. Ngannou, meanwhile, has practically maintained weight at 272.6lbs, having been 272.2lbs for his showdown with the Gypsy King in October.
The former UFC champion was beaten via split decision when he came up against Fury last year but will be hoping for different fortunes on Friday night.
Meanwhile, Zhilei Zhang (291.6lbs) weighed in over three stone heavier than Joseph Parker (247.6lbs), with the undercard pair taking to the scales moments before the main event weigh-in.
Anthony Joshua has weighed in 20lbs lighter than Francis Ngannou ahead of Friday’s fight
Joshua (L) weighed in 252.4lbs meanwhile the former UFC champion weighed in 272.6lbs
Undercard Zhilei Zhang (left) weighed in over three stone heavier than Joseph Parker (right)
Manny Pacquiao (left) and Conor Benn (right) pictured at the weigh-in in Riyadh on Thursday
Britain’s Nick Ball and his opponent Rey Vargas also made the 126lb limit for their WBC featherweight title fight.
Ahead of the bout, Joshua has insisted that he will be bringing ‘relentlessness’ in his Friday fight with Ngannou.
When asked about his preparation, Joshua said: ‘All will be revealed, straight up war, relentlessness and a good fight. That’s what everyone’s here for – a good fight.’
With the ever-present prospect of a clash with compatriot Fury never seeming to leave Joshua’s career trajectory, there has of course been speculation that a win over Ngannou could bring that titanic collision a step closer to reality.
However, Joshua insisted that his attention was firmly fixed on Friday night, and he was not looking past the task at hand.
‘We’re not looking past this fight,’ he said. ‘The incentives and stuff, it’s just to win, to focus on my game plan and focus on what I’ve got to do.
Joshua appeared laid back on Wednesday night but promised he would deliver on Friday
Ngannou talks learning his craft and Joshua runs through his music
‘It was always his [Francis] dream to be a boxer, he was part of the Cameroonian team and only started MMA when he was 26. He’s been doing it from a young age, I know what I’m up against.
‘I spar, I do my film studying and keep it professional. But on the night, that textbook goes out the window, you’ve got to be relentless.
‘This [entertaining] is what I’ve devoted my life to so bring every challenge, every competition and I’ll step up to the plate. One day I’ll share the ring with Tyson – I’m serious about the game.
‘The best man will always win, it’s not rocket science. One of the main things I’m looking forward to is showing how good I am. People find out when they’re in the ring, but we’ll see. Friday will soon come, I’m looking forward to it and the occasion.’
The question is: who are the top 25 heavyweight boxers of all time?
The hardest part of the answer is choosing between legends with the most powerful claims to be No 1.
Muhammad Ali was known as ‘The Greatest’, but where does he stack up compared to other iconic fighters like Joe Frazier, George Forman and Lennox Lewis? And is Tyson Fury worthy of being included?
Below are my picks in descending order.
25. Earnie Shavers
The biggest puncher never to win a world title. His two championship challenges were against Ali, who he hurt badly in the second round, and Holmes, who he knocked down in the seventh. Both recovered to win hard-fought decisions but that these two took on a man who scored 70 KOs in his 76 victories is a reminder of how the greats were willing to fight each other during the Golden Age of heavyweight boxing.
So there you have them. My top 25 heavyweight in ring history. Let the bar-room debates commence.
Ernie Shavers celebrates after his fight with Ali, despite the fact that Ali won by decision
24. Riddick Bowe
The former undisputed world champion disputed an epic trilogy with Holyfield in which he won the first and third fights and lost the one in between on the wild night when a para-glider crash-landed into the open ring constructed in the car park at Caesars Palace on the Vegas Strip. That was Big Daddy’s only defeat but the record disguises how he ducked Lewis by chucking his belt into a London dustbin and threw away what might have been a great career by putting huge eating above heavy training.
Riddick Bowe had enormous power and could have achieved more with better dedication
23. Ken Norton
Was elevated to world champion after he beat Jimmy Young in a final eliminator and then Leon Spinks preferred to relinquish the belt rather than fight the man who put up three immense performances against Ali. Winning their first fight, losing the second on a controversial decision and being beaten by The Greatest on a split decision in the third.
Ken Norton had a brilliant series of three fights against Ali, dropping the second and third
22. Ezzard Charles
Described by Muhammad Ali as ‘the only boxer with the skills to have given me trouble in my prime,’ Charles is widely remembered as one of the most technically gifted prize-fighters in ring history and came probably the closest to beating Marciano in the second of their two huge fights in New York’s Yankee Stadium. Won his world heavyweight title against the formidable Jersey Joe Walcott and lost it to Joe Louis as he fought every other top-rated boxer across three divisions.
Ezzard Charles clashes with Rocky Marciano in the fifth round of their 1954 encounter
21. James J Braddock
Another three-division world champion who came out of retirement and from virtually nowhere as a heavyweight to take that title from the highly regarded Max Baer. For that upset he was dubbed by fabled writer Damon Runyan as the Cinderella Man, which was the title of a major movie about his feat. It took Joe Louis to relieve him of the title two years later.
James Braddock is seen exercising his stomach at Stillman’s Gym in 1941 in New York
20. Wladimir Klitschko
As brother Vitali waited in vain for Lennox to come out of retirement for a rematch Wladimir went on to establish the record for the most cumulative days as world champion – 4,382 – over his two lengthy reigns. Between them the siblings whose mother forbade them to fight each other presided over the Klitschko era of heavyweight boxing.
Wladimir Klitschko, here in his defeat by Anthony Joshua reigned supreme in his era
19. Vitali Klitschko
Tougher, harder-punching and better elder brother of Wladimir who looked to be on his way to beating Lewis in Los Angeles when his eye was cut to the bone and doctors refused to let him bleed to death. Now engaged in the biggest fight of his life as Mayor of Kyiv.
Vitali Klitschko is Mayor of Kyiv and at the heart of the fight against the Russian invasion
Who is YOUR greatest heavyweight of all-time?
18. Bob Fitzsimmons
Cornish-born Bob became an Australian and then American hero as the first boxer ever to win world titles at three weights. A huge achievement in the early 1900s when there were fewer extra categories between the classic weight divisions and as he was the lightest of all heavyweight champions at 167 pounds. Renowned for knocking out Corbett and the only man to defeat Sullivan.
17. Gene Tunney
This thinking man’s boxer brought a clever defensive method to his winning of the light-heavy and then heavyweight titles. He gained his fame by defeating the great Jack Dempsey not once but twice, the second time with the help of one of the most infamous Long Counts in ring history.
16. James J Jeffries
An all round athlete who came within a fraction of running the 100 yards in ten seconds and high jumped over six feet, Jeffries invented the style of fighting behind a sold left jab and counter-punching with immense power. A dominant champion, he was nicknamed The Great White Hope when he came out of six-year retirement in an attempt to answer the clamour from America’s so-called ‘moral majority’ for one of their own to dethrone African America’s first African-American heavyweight champion. Jack Johnson knocked him out in the 15th of a scheduled 45 rounds.
Gene Tunny poses while training for his title defense against Tom Heeney, 1928
James J Jeffries is pictured before his title fight against Jack Johnson in Nevada
15. Tyson Fury
Clinched this place by following up his dramatic conquest of the long-reigning, if aging, Wladimir Klitschko with his off-the-canvas trilogy against massive puncher Deontay Wilder which made him a two-time world champion. He will climb sharply higher in the ranking if he defeats Usyk to become the undisputed Gypsy King of the ring, although Usyk would storm into the top 25 should he win. As would Anthony Joshua if he were to beat the winner of those two later this year to become a three-time world champion.
Tyson Fury (right) could still elevate himself higher in this list before he retires
14. Evander Holyfield
The undisputed world cruiserweight champion who then became the only four-time world heavyweight champion. Had an ear bitten off while demolishing a fading Tyson, twice. Proved himself to be very much The Real Deal, as he was dubbed, by maximising his complete boxer-fighter talents in his epic trilogy with Riddick Bowe.
Evander Holyfield (left) had his ear bitten by Mike Tyson (right) in an infamous incident
13. Sonny Liston
A monstrous force who intimidated all opponents – including the much-loved Floyd Patterson twice in winning and retaining the world title – until the impudent Ali bewildered and destroyed him. First mentally, then physically.
Sonny Liston was one of the most intimidating heavyweights in history, seen here against Ali
12. James J Corbett
Renowned as the only man to beat John L Sullivan. Albeit when the Boston Strong Boy came out of long retirement to face the new champion on the block. Enjoyed a professional career of just 36 fights but nearly all against the rest of the best in big-money fights before becoming a film star.
James J Corbett started out as a boxer before going on to star in Hollywood movies
11. Lennox Lewis
Our very own three-time world title holder and as such most definitely a distinguished citizen of Britain, to which he pledged his allegiance after winning Olympic gold under the Canadian flag. And STILL the last undisputed world heavyweight champion. Has been for two decades. Will remain so until Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk resolve which of them is the first undisputed champ of the four-belt era – hopefully in May.
Lennox Lewis (right) defeated Mike Tyson and is the last undisputed champion
10. Mike Tyson
The biggest punch ever made Iron Mike the youngest world heavyweight champion and intimidated all-comers during his prime. But it has tended to distract from his exceptional speed of hand and foot and his high ring intelligence. As did the escapades which put one of the sport’s most controversial characters behind bars.
Mike Tyson (left), pictured against Frank Bruno, struck fear into many of his foes
The legendary American boxer, with promoter Don King (left) celebrates in 1987
9. Jack Dempsey
The Manassa Mauler was a matinee idol. While his punching power allied to progressive new technical skills brought world title fame in the ring his mass popularity broke box office records, including the first million dollar gate.
Jack Dempsey takes on Gene Tunney in a heavyweight encounter in Philadelphia
8. George Foreman
Destroyed all-comers except Ali but including Frazier. While making his final comeback Big George became the oldest ever world heavyweight champion at 46 years and 169 days.
Foreman was incredibly powerful and his fight in Zaire with Ali went down in history
7. Jack Johnson
White America’s nightmare changed the face of boxing and sparked race riots across the length and breadth of the US when he became the first black world heavyweight champion by defeating James J Jeffries in the Fight of the 20th Century. He compounded that perceived affront to the prejudiced majority by marrying a white woman and keeping his title for eight years despite trumped up criminal convictions against him.
Jack Johnson was an incredibly important figure in the history of boxing
6. Joe Frazier
The warrior’s warrior inflicted Ali’s first defeat when knocking him down late in that Fight of the Century at a Madison Square Garden packed with Hollywood and political celebrities. Only George Foreman at his zenith was too much for Smokin’ Joe to handle.
Joe Frazier is seen moments after flooring Muhammad Ali at Madison Square Garden
5. Rocky Marciano
The only world heavyweight champion to retire unbeaten stood but 5ft 10in tall and weighed a mere 188lbs but possessed extraordinary punching power – not least when rupturing the arms of bigger opponents to bring down their guard so he could them knock-out. A method adopted now by Mexican legend Canelo Alvarez.
Rocky Marciano packed a punch despite being under six foot tall at heavyweight
4. John L Sullivan
The last bare-knuckle and the first gloved world champion, the Boston Strong Boy won more than 400 fights (almost all by knock-out) across the two regimes. This huge cult figure and sport’s first millionaire would have hung up the gloves undefeated had he not come out of three-year retirement to satisfy public demand for him to fight rising younger star James J Corbett.
John L Sullivan was a legendary figure and could have retired undefeated but came back
3. Larry Holmes
Too often dismissed as just Ali’s chief sparring partner, the Easton Assassin possessed probably the best-ever jab and was such a comprehensive boxer that he held the world title from 1978 to 1985 and (reluctantly) inflicted the only KO of The Greatest’s career.
Larry Holmes had a brilliant jab and is deserving of his place at No 3 on the list
2. Joe Louis.
The easy get-out is to plump for Muhammad Ali in top spot, commonly known as The Greatest and not without with good reason. Yet to reach that determination without examining the case for Joe Louis would be a dereliction of duty.
The Brown Bomber was a cult figure in his own right. One who narrowed the racial divisions in American society. With his comprehensive amalgam of ring intelligence and knock-out power he racked up an unequalled 25 consecutive defences of the world heavyweight title and reigned as undisputed world heavyweight champion for 11-and-a-half years.
Joe Louis racked up an unequalled 25 consecutive defences at heavyweight
Louis looms over Jack Sharkey having floored in in their 1936 bout that summer
1. Muhammad Ali
Ali, nee Cassius Clay, was a three-time champion and involved in several of the most fabled fights in the history of prize-fighting.
More than one distinguished ring historian hedges the bet and declares him and Louis tied in first place. That is a cop out.
Pushed to shove, that neglects Ali’s impact on so much of American culture and upon world opinion about everything from the Vietnam war to the emergence of the Black Muslims. Also ignores recognition of him not only as a supreme boxer but as the outstanding athlete in the annals of world sport. More instantly recognisable than Pele.
The even bigger picture – beyond the slaying of the Liston monster, the Fight of the Century and the Thrilla in Manilla both against Joe Fraizer and the astounding Rumble in the Jungle with George Foreman – portrays a phenomenal personality and a champion not only in gloves but of civil rights.
Muhammad Ali, pictured between rounds during his fight against Sonny Liston, was involved in extraordinary battles and he was a global superstar
Ali is pictured here against George Foreman in their famous Rumble in the Jungle
So there you have them. My top 25 heavyweight in ring history. Let the bar-room debates commence.
