Boxing has produced legendary heavyweight supports over the years. Two distinct eras stand out: the 1990s, featuring icons like Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis, and the modern era, dominated by Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, and others. A longstanding debate among fans revolves around a pivotal question: if past and present collided, which era’s boxers would emerge victorious? Mike Tyson, a boxing legend with unparalleled experience, shared his thoughts.

While fantasy matchups remain one of the most discussed topics in boxing, there is never an answer that satisfies everyone. However, it didn’t stop Iron Mike from sharing his take. With matchups like a prime Lennox Lewis versus a prime Anthony Joshua sparking intense debate, the Baddest Man on the Planet, known for his unflinching honesty, weighed in with his candid assessment.  

Mike Tyson answers the burning question

Renowned combat sports journalist Manouk Akopyan had a sit-down with Mike Tyson yesterday. Covering several topics, Akopyan asked, “How do you think you would have done in today’s heavyweight division against the Usyks, the Furys, and Joshuas of the world?”

“Hey, listen, I am just confident that I would have done well. I am not going to say, ‘This guy was going to kick my a**.’ No, I am not going to say that,“ responded Tyson. Pressing further, the interviewer asked, “You were in the class of the Holyfields, the Lennox Lewises of the world coming up. Do you think today’s generation of heavyweights compared to yours, or were you guys in a different class of your own?”

To which Iron Mike answered, “Do you think Anthony Joshua would beat Lennox Lewis? My era had good fighters,” implying that Anthony Joshua wouldn’t have stood a chance against a boxer like Lennox Lewis.

While the Brooklyn native settled one of boxing’s most debated topics, this isn’t the first time he made critical remarks about the modern-era boxers. From ring activity to peak physique, the 58-year-old legend has had a lot of things to say. So, let’s dive deep into it.

The baddest critic on the planet!

With decades of experience and numerous accolades, Mike Tyson is widely regarded as an authority in the sport of sweet science. His candid and unvarnished opinions have made him a sought-after voice, with many journalists and fans turning to ‘Uncle Mike‘ for his honest insights and expert analysis.

Back in 2021, after watching Oleksandr Usyk beat Anthony Joshua in their first fight, Tyson took to X, stating: “After watching the Joshua vs Usyk fight, maybe they had a bad day that night. From that performance do you really think they could have beat me in my prime?”

Furthermore, Mike Tyson believes the current heavyweight roster does not have the popular appeal it used during his era. In an interview with The Talks in 2022, Iron Mike said, “Well, it doesn’t have the character. Every part of entertainment needs a character. If you don’t have a character… being skillful, that’s nice too, but it’s more than being very skillful. You have to have a personality, and boxing doesn’t have a personality.”

Not one to shy away, Mike Tyson has never held back while commenting on the modern-era boxers. With the clear verdict out from the mouth of the legend himself, who do you think would win if the past and the present were to collide? What fantasy fights would you be interested in watching?