Mike Tyson didn’t hesitate when asked if he would have beaten the Klitschko brothers in his prime

Mike Tyson was asked if he would have beaten the Klitschko brothers.

Mike Tyson didn't hesitate when asked if he would have beaten the Klitschko brothers in his prime

Boxing legend Mike Tyson didn’t hesitate when asked if he would have beaten the Klitschko brothers in his prime.

At the peak of their powers, both Vitali and Wladimir reigned over the heavyweight division from the mid-2000s, possessing all of the major world titles.

Vitali was the WBC world heavyweight champion while his younger brother Wladimir owned the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.

Wladimir was an unstoppable force in his prime after appointing famed trainer Emanuel Steward.

He enjoyed an unbeaten spell from October 2004 to November 2015, unifying the heavyweight division.

But Tyson, who’s still the youngest world heavyweight champion in history, reckons he’d beat ‘almost anybody’ on water, vegetables and vitamins.

“I’m not being offensive; I’m not being egotistical. Clean fighting, no drugs, food and water – the basics and I think I could beat almost anybody. I think I’d put my life on it that I could,” he explained.

“I would beat anybody in my prime on water, vegetables and vitamins.”

Speaking before facing Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition bout back in November 2020, he was then asked if he would return to the sport in the form of a reality show which pits former champions against each other, to which he replied: “Never. I don’t want to be a part of bringing somebody back to the ring. The risk is so high.

“Now we are dealing with guys that have enhancement drugs. You are going to hurt these guys or they’re gonna die, get brain damage or broken bones.”

The Klitschko brothers dominated the heavyweight division during their primes. Image: Getty
The Klitschko brothers dominated the heavyweight division during their primes. Image: Getty

‘Iron’ Mike, though, acknowledged the Klitschko brothers’ brilliance.

A fan on social media asked the American great if he reckons Wladimir would have been a ‘formidable heavyweight champion in the Golden Age?’

Tyson replied: “I think he would have done well in any era.”

Wladimir’s reign as unified world heavyweight champion came to a stunning end when Tyson Fury dethroned him of the WBA (super), IBF and WBO titles.

He ended his professional career with 64 wins from 69 fights, with 53 victories coming inside the distance.

‘Dr. Steelhammer’ holds three major records of the modern heavyweight era; the most wins in heavyweight title bouts (25), the most wins in unified championship bouts (15) and the most consecutive defences of the unified titles (14).

Related Posts

Denise Welch fans left baffled as she adopts bizarre new accent on US talk show

Loose Women star Denise Welch appeared on Watch What Happens Live! with Andy Cohen where she debuted a brand-new ‘transatlantic accent’ Denise Welch has left fans baffled after…

Strictly’s Anton Du Beke shares heartbreak over wife’s ‘cruel and inexplicable’ diagnosis

Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke has been married to his wife Hannah Summers since 2017 and the couple share twins George and Henrietta, who were…

Gregg Wallace reveals how he feels about Rod Stewart after singer’s ‘tubby’ swipe

Sir Rod Stewart last year branded Gregg Wallace ‘a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully’ and claimed the former MasterChef star ‘humiliated’ wife Penny Lancaster during her time on…

Gemma Collins’ ‘risky move after 2 stone weight loss with something to prove’

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma Collins is said to be close to signing a big money deal which could see her return to the…

Stacey Solomon and husband Joe Swash’s vow after ‘tension’ at home

Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash’s busy life is taking a toll on their relationship, with Joe struggling under the pressure Joe Swash is struggling under the pressure,…

This Morning fans left concerned after Dermot O’Leary hits head live on TV

This Morning fans were left concerned for presenter Dermot O’Leary as he hit his head live on air after a beauty segment took an awkward turn on…