Iron Mike’s career went without facing one fighter in particular

Mike Tyson is one of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing – but once admitted there was one regret from his career after not facing one man in particular.

Tyson had a total of 58 professional boxing bouts between 1985 and 2005 in a career which spanned three decades and came to a conclusion as he approached his 39th birthday.

In that time, Tyson chalked up 50 wins and just six losses, with an astounding 44 victories on knockout as he demonstrated his stopping power in the ring.

Evander Holyfield beat Tyson twice in the 1990s in back to back defeats, while Briton Lennox Lewis knocked out Iron Mike at a contest in 2002.

Buster Douglas, Danny Williams and Kevin McBride were the other three fighters to have knocked out Tyson in his professional career.

Since retiring as a professional fighter, Tyson has spent his time promoting various websites and companies, launching the Mike Tyson Cares Foundation, launched a boxing promotions firm, published two books and helped to train UFC star Francis Ngannou’s move into the world of boxing.

Despite having a glittering career which spanned some 20 years, there was one big name fighter that Tyson did not end up taking on in the ring and remains his biggest regret.

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Speaking to The Ring Magazine back in 2014, Tyson admitted not taking on George Foreman was a regret from his boxing career.

He said: “I would have liked to fight George Foreman.

“There have been many fans who wondered who was the bigger puncher. I would have liked to put an end to the discussion – one way or the other.”

Foreman’s record stands up alongside Tyson’s, with 81 fights across his career and 76 wins, 68 of which were by knockout and only five losses in a career which spanned from 1969 to 1997, just shy of three decades.

And of course, many will know the retired fighter thanks to the George Foreman Grill, which may well be an appliance in your kitchen.

It certainly would have been an intriguing encounter and one of the great what ifs from boxing history.