Mike Tyson vowed to “avenge” the legendary Muhammad Ali at just 15 as he was embarking on his boxing career.
The 58-year-old - who is set to take on YouTuber turned fighter Jake Paul later this month - is recognised as one of greatest fighters of all time. He became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, while also becoming the youngest ever fighter to win the WBC, WBA and IBF titles.
Even before stepping in the ring as a professional, Iron Mike idolised the great Muhammad Ali. And following the latter’s defeat to Larry Holmes in 1980, he was made aware of Tyson’s huge promise.
And he has now claimed that he vowed to take down both Holmes and Trevor Berbick - who also defeated Tyson’s hero Ali in 1981 - only for the boxing legend to be less than convinced.
Speaking on the All The Smoke Fight podcast, the veteran fighter said: “Larry Holmes, 1980 October 2nd. Larry Holmes beat Ali and Ali and Cus [D’Amato] were talking on the phone the next day. The next morning, they were talking. And he said ‘I’ve got a 15-year-old black kid who’s going to be champion of the world, talk to him, his name is Mike Tyson ’.
“And I said ‘when I get big, I’m going to avenge you’. He didn’t really listen. I got both of them for him [Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick].”
And Tyson stuck by his promise to Ali. He defeated Berbick by TKO in 1986 in Las Vegas at the age of just 20. Tyson then overcame Holmes with a knockout in January 1988.
He has never attempted to hide his adoration of Ali. Speaking earlier this year, he suggested that his career was only possible after watching Ali perform.
Speaking to Boxing News, Tyson said: “I worshipped him. That’s all I can say. I worshipped him. Cus D’Amato worshipped him. So that’s my mentor worshipping this guy.
“I’m going to worship whoever my mentor told me to worship. When boxing found me, I knew I was going to be the best ever. I just knew it.
“The first day I saw Muhammed Ali, I said ‘I’m going to be the greatest fighter to ever live’. Just seeing him! I didn’t even know while he walked out ‘I’m the greatest fighter in the world’. How does this happen?
"That must happen. It’s like Tyson. You’re Tyson Fury, now he’s the greatest fighter in the world. How does that happen? How does that s*** happen?
“You look at a guy and he inspires you. Doesn’t even got to say a f****** word to you. You only have to know him. And you’re somewhere because of him. And you worship him because if it wasn’t him, you never saw him, it would never be you.”
