MIKE TYSON’s first trainer has sensationally claimed the boxing legend only had “five” real fights.
Iron Mike took part in 58 professional bouts before hanging up his gloves in 2005 after a shock loss to journeyman Kevin McBride.
Tyson’s scintillating, ferocious run to becoming the youngest-ever heavyweight champion is still to this day one of the greatest in the history of boxing.
The New Yorker, 57, ended his career with six defeats – the final of which came at the hands of McBride.
And his former trainer Teddy Atlas believes those losses – which were inflicted on him by Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Danny Williams – came in the only TRUE fights of his Hall-of-fame career.
During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, Atlas said: “Tyson’s talent was so great.
“His physical ability was so overwhelming, his talent was so superior that the other stuff never got tested.
“He was blowing guys out, it never got tested if there was anything in the warehouse.
“To me, a fight is not a fight until there is any resistance, something to overcome.
“Otherwise, it’s just an athletic venture, just an exhibition.
“Five times, whatever the real record is, five times there was resistance.
“Five times it became a real fight, five times there was something to overcome, and he failed all five times.
“He was only in five fights in his life, and he’s 0 in 5.”
Tyson was shell of his old-self when he lost to Brit Williams – who is still competing – and McBride and admitted the final fight of his career was nothing more than a payday.
He made a sensational return to the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition bout with fellow boxing great Roy Jones Jr.
And he shocked fight fans around the world by rolling back the years and turning in a stellar display against the former four-weight world champion.
Tyson has hinted at taking part in more exhibitions but hasn’t made any overtures to get back in the ring.
