He made 20 successful world title defences – more than Ali, Tyson or any heavyweight except Joe Louis – and reached 48-0 before losing two close, controversial decisions to Spinks. The often underappreciated Holmes was the dominant heavyweight force of the late 1970s and early 80s. His 91-second stoppage of Michael Spinks or the demolition of Trevor Berbick to win his first title belt are viewed as Tyson’s most iconic wins – but the victory against Holmes is remarkably impressive in retrospect. Mike just rings that bell really hard.4 Tyson stopped Holmes in the fourth round Credit: Getty I’m really a big fan of tough guys that just don't talk but are legitimately tough. So when you get to meet someone that you really admire, you just see what a great athlete they are and how just how tough they are. 'I remember the stories about him fighting Mitch Green on the street. 'Mike's just one of those guys that, you know, he grew up tough on the streets,' Flair said. So working with Tyson was a no-brainer in Flair's mind because of what Tyson represents as a person. 'The Nature Boy', who had his last wrestling match in July, has known 'Iron Mike' for over 30 years.

He could just dance around you and box.'Ĭurrently, Flair has a cannabis line, Ric Flair Drip, that is a part of Tyson's cannabis company, Tyson 2.0. I don't think he was ever considered knockout artist but he just could outbox you. 'I love Mike to death, but I don't think anybody in their primes could have beaten Ali. You look at his earlier fights. Two completely different styles but if Mike hits you, you’re going down. The only guy I ever thought that could stand in there with Ali was Mike in his prime.

There's always comparisons in sports as there is in business. 'I've just (always) been a fan of Mike Tyson,' Flair told DAZN. 'I actually knew Muhammad Ali very well. A man who knew Ali well and knows Tyson well to this day, pro wrestling legend Ric Flair, gives a conclusive answer as who'd emerge victorious between the two iconic heavyweights. Ever since Mike Tyson took the boxing world by storm when he became the youngest heavyweight champion and ultimately the undisputed champion, comparisons have been made between Tyson and Muhammad Ali.īoxing fans salivated at the thought of who would have won if they had been in their respective primes together at the height of their powers.

Mike tyson muhammad ali