Former two-time world heavyweight champ Chris Byrd surprisingly admitted that he “wouldn’t be scared” of fighting a prime Mike Tyson compared to Deontay Wilder.
Wilder, 34, has built an incredible reputation as one of the most formidable punchers in history thanks to his astonishing boxing record.
The ‘Bronze Bomber,’ who lost his first professional fight to Tyson Fury in February, boasts 41 knockout victories in 44 professional fights.
‘Iron’ Mike, 54, is widely revered for his ferocious boxing style and destructive punching power during the 1980s.
Byrd, who defeated boxing legends like Evander Holyfield and Vitali Klitschko, fought for two decades and holds an impressive record of 41 victories in 47 fights.
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However, the 50-year-old former boxer explained why Wilder would be a tougher test compared to boxing legend Tyson inside the squared circle.
Byrd told Fight Hub TV: “That one-punch factor. Man, I’m telling you that kid [Wilder] carries power from 1 to 12.
“I mean, he can punch… it’s freakish. It’s scary. And I meant it: I would rather fight [Mike Tyson in his prime than Deontay Wilder].
“Boxing is about a style match-up. With Mike, he’s coming at me. I’m gonna keep him… I’m gonna keep touching, moving, slipping, getting away.
“With him [Wilder], what am I doing? Am I putting pressure on him? I’m not that big. I’m going to get knocked out trying to come to him. If I try [to] stay back, how am I boxing? He’s 6’7 — boom, it’s coming down again. That’s a hard match-up.
“People look at what Mike do and rush you and doing that. I look at styles. Styles of a fighter that fight. I’m not scared… or I wouldn’t be scared of Mike. I’m not gonna quit when he hit me: I’m going to fight you back.
“That man right there, Deontay Wilder, pfft. How is it that they’re getting so tall now? But now he got massive power behind… ugh!”
Wilder has previously made a bold claim that he could have beaten Tyson had they fought in a dream super-fight.
