Evander Holyfield knows from experience just how dangerous Mike Tyson[tag] was.
‘Iron Mike’ remains the youngest world heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old, having worked his way up to the title after winning his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round.
He was undisputed champion from 1987 to 1990, and after a shock defeat to Buster Douglas, regained the world heavyweight title again in 1996.
That set up the fight against Holyfield, where Tyson was a big favourite, but ‘The Real Deal’ upset the odds to claim the 11th round knockout win.
That led to a rematch seven months later, which infamously ended by third round disqualification for Tyson after he bit the ear of Holyfield.
Having stood opposite the ring with Tyson, Holyfield is well aware just why he was given his ‘Baddest Man On The Planet’ nickname, but he has now told Fighthype which world champion he deems to be even more dangerous than his old rival.
“He [Gervonta Davis] is a very good fighter. He’s a very skilled fighter, he kind of reminds me of Pernell Whittaker.
“Pernell Whittaker was a skilful boxer. ‘Tank’ is a skilful boxer, and a hard puncher – he’s got both of ’em! That would make him even more dangerous than Tyson.”
[tag]Gervonta Davis is the reigning WBA lightweight champion, having also held world honours at super-featherweight and super-lightweight.
He holds an undefeated record of 30-0, 28 of those wins by knockout, after stopping the likes of Ryan Garcia, Leo Santa Cruz and Rolly Romero in his career.
Davis returns in March when he defends his title against Lamont Roach, but he’s named another man who he deems to be his ‘dream fight.’
