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Mike Tyson Responds To Deontay Wilder's Claim He'd Beat Him In His Prime

Mike Tyson Responds To Deontay Wilder's Claim He'd Beat Him In His Prime

'Iron Mike' has finally had his say...

Tom Wood

Tom Wood

Mike Tyson has responded to claims from the WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder that he would have knocked out Tyson in his prime during the 1980s.

Knockout artist Wilder claimed a while back that he'd have sparked out 'Iron Mike' if the two had clashed at the peak of their powers.

In 2018, Wilder told TMZ: "Me vs Tyson in '86, I'd kick the hell outta that guy."

A bold claim, but what does the former world champion think of it?

Well, he's actually quite calm and considered about the whole thing, which isn't the kind of behaviour you'd expect from a man best known for biting another boxer's ear off during a fight.

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The 53-year-old said he actually admires Wilder's claim and he'd have thought the same were the tables turned.

Speaking to BT Sport for the TV show Round 12: Fury's Resurrection, Tyson said: "I don't know [whether I'd beat him].

"I love the fact that he thinks that, because that's the way I would think as well.

"He's supposed to think that way, he is the heavyweight champion of the world and that's something very special."

He's changed tack slightly, given that when the claims were initially made, he responded: "I don't think so."

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Others from inside the fight game have previously slammed Wilder's claim, too. Former unified heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis said: "I just heard Deontay Wilder said he would destroy a young Mike Tyson.

"My thoughts are that it's easy to talk until you actually get in the ring. I like Wilder but he's never been in there with someone that ferocious who truly wants to break his ribs with every punch. I don't see it.

"I love Wilder's confidence... you need that to sit atop the heavyweight division... he's hungry and shows up in probably best shape in division... but there's levels to it... and he's still adding to his arsenal.

"My best advice to the entire crop of young heavyweight champs is to focus on being the best of YOUR era! Out of respect and reality. It's unprovable. Of course people asked, but I found no need to speculate or compare myself to my idol Ali or any other of the past greats."

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"History will decide your place among the all-time greats... so go out there, clean up the division, defend your title, reign supreme and your work will speak for itself."

While we'll never see a prime Tyson take on Deontay Wilder, we will see Wilder in the ring against Tyson Fury next Saturday evening in Las Vegas, when Deontay will have to put his belt on the line.

That'll have to do, I guess.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: US News