Mike Tyson singled one fighter who he found to be smarter than the rest from his many opponents.
The youngest heavyweight champion in history, Tyson’s career spanned three decades and he had 58 professional fights inside the squared circle prior to hanging up his gloves.
He picked up 50 wins and lost six times – with his defeat to Kevin McBride in Washington prompting his retirement in 2005.
Tyson shared the ring with a whole host of greats across multiple eras, including Evander Holyfield, Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis.
But Tyson, with his 44 victories via knockout, believes Larry Holmes had the best boxing IQ.
The two fought in 1988 when Tyson was just 21. Iron’ Mike emerged victorious with a fourth-round knockout, inflicting a third straight defeat for the long-time heavyweight champion.
But Tyson hailed his experience and the way in which he defended himself in their tear-up.
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Tyson told The Ring: “Larry Holmes was the smartest of all. It comes with being a champion for seven years.
“Even though I did win inside the distance, he was very tough to hit cleanly,” he added.
During the interview, Tyson was asked to pick a boxer for a slew of different attributes and gave Jose Ribalta the nod for best chin because he hit the Caban with “everything”, stating “Ribalta stood toe to toe with me. He was very strong in the clinches.”
When it came to the best puncher, Tyson went with one of his most bitter rivals in Holyfield, who he lost to twice – the second as a result of disqualification following the the infamous ear-bite.
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He replied: “Evander Holyfield. He threw terrific shots with both hands and with bad intentions.”
Tyson also labelled Holyfield a “great champion”, with the two clearly on much better terms these days.
It remains to see if his next opponent, Jake Paul, will force Tyson to change any of his answers when they meet in a rearranged bout on November 15.