Mike Tyson Names Four Heavyweights He Considers Superior

Mike Tyson, widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers, named Jack Dempsey, Sonny Liston, Muhammad Ali, and George Foreman as the four greatest heavyweight fighters of all time, excluding himself from his 'Mount Rushmore' of boxing. Tyson praised Sonny Liston as a 'monster' and regarded Jose Ribalta as the toughest opponent he faced, highlighting Ribalta's exceptional ability to withstand Tyson's powerful punches despite eventually losing after multiple knockdowns. Tyson's career began explosively, winning his first 19 fights by knockout and becoming the youngest heavyweight champion at 20, unifying the titles shortly after. He acknowledged that his shocking 1990 loss to James 'Buster' Douglas was a liberating moment that motivated him to return to winning form. Meanwhile, Butterbean, a fellow fighter, criticized Tyson's ability to take punches, claiming Tyson lacks a strong chin despite his quickness and knockout power. Tyson's later years included a high-profile exhibition fight against Jake Paul in 2023, after which he announced his retirement from boxing.