Tony Tubbs was a heavyweight mainstay in the 80’s, touching gloves with some of the best.
The American rose to prominence during a golden era for the blue-riband division, competing against Riddick Bowe, Tim Witherspoon and most notably Mike Tyson.
Tubbs fought ‘Iron Mike’ as part of a huge event in Tokyo in March 1988 for the undisputed heavyweight titles, but was quickly outclassed in a complete mismatch.
‘TNT’ was stopped inside two rounds by the notorious power-puncher, who ended the fight with a vicious barrage after total dominance from the opening bell.
When talking to The Ring in September 2018, Tubbs named Tyson as the ‘Best Puncher’ he faced as well as possessing the ‘Fastest Hands’.
But he believes that stepping inside against his shorter opponent, allowed Tyson to quickly halt the contest.
He said in the interview: “When Tyson hit me I felt dazed. When you’re younger you can take the puncher better than when you get older.
“If I had stayed on the outside he wouldn’t have beaten me. He gave up all his strength after five rounds. He was a hitter.
“Certain fighters would never have fought Tyson, Riddick Bowe would never fight Mike Tyson.
“Bowe never fought nobody, he never fought Lennox Lewis. I’m glad I had the fights I had.
“I think Tyson was way stronger than Bowe. Tyson was a comer; he was like a Joe Frazier.
“He depended on hitting, and he was a fast hitter. He had short arms, but when he got in he could dig, so you don’t want to let him get in.”
The heavyweight icon was later named as the best overall fighter that Tubbs duelled with, labelling his former opponent as a ‘force of nature’.
Tyson completed it all in his career first becoming the youngest ever heavyweight world champion aged just 20, by beating Trevor Berbick in 1986.
He also reigned as undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990, and mixed it with the best in his own career against other top fighters including Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Larry Holmes.
The American retired in 2005 but has since reappeared in the squared circle in an exhibition fight with Roy Jones Jr.
To the huge shock of the boxing world, he has announced that he will make a comeback against Jake Paul on July 20 at the age of 58.
Reports are circling that the fight could take place under professional rules, a worrying outcome considering the significant age gap between the pair.
Source: Talk Sport