Mike Tyson Was Scared & Refused to Fight One Heavyweight

FTTV Boxing on X: "🚨 Would Tyson vs. Foreman have been one of the greatest heavyweight fights ever, or was avoiding it the right move? Despite being one of boxing's most feared

Despite being one of the most destructive men on the planet, it has been claimed that Mike Tyson was scared to fight one fellow heavyweight in his scintillating career.

In 1988, Tyson was set to face Michael Spinks, but after Spinks' manager tried pre-fight tricks to delay the bout, Tyson became incensed and punched a hole in the wall so hard his opponent heard it from his own dressing room. The incident spooked Spinks so much he allegedly refused to leave his room and when he eventually did, Tyson entered to no music and knocked him out after just 91 seconds.

However, former boxing promoter Bobby Goodman has claimed that Tyson himself was scared of fighting one man during his career - George Foreman.

The Heavyweight Mike Tyson Refused to Fight

Despite there being talks over a potential bout, Iron Mike wanted none of it

When Foreman decided to return in 1987, Iron Mike was at the top of the sport and the Olympic gold medalist wanted to dethrone him. Negotiations for a fight between the two began in 1990 after Foreman went on a 20-fight winning streak, but Goodman stated that Tyson never really wanted the fight.

Mike Tyson & George Foreman's professional boxing records
	Mike Tyson	George Foreman
Fights	59	81
Wins	50	76
Losses	7	5
No contests	2	0

"I was there when Don [King] was trying to make the fight. He was telling Tyson that Foreman represented huge money, plus he was old and slow and would be no problem. Tyson got up and screamed at King saying, 'I'm not fighting that f***** animal, if you love the m******** so much, you fight him!'"

After the negotiations fell apart, Tyson was shortly arrested and sent to prison after being convicted of rape.

By the time The Baddest Man on the Planet was released from prison, Foreman had retired for good, after becoming heavyweight champion for the second time, beating Michael Moorer in 1994.

George Foreman Wanted None of Mike Tyson Either

Foreman once also admitted he didn't want the fight

However, Big George shared Tyson's feelings as he told ESPN that he didn't want the fight either.

"I didn't want any part of Mike Tyson - no way."

Tyson has, however, since stated that the biggest regret of his career was that he never fought Foreman, and boxing fans will share a similar sentiment.