When it comes to ending fights with a single, devastating punch, few can rival the legendary Mike Tyson. Of his 50 career victories, 44 came by knockout. In fact, he began his professional career with a remarkable 19-fight knockout streak. His raw power became his signature, earning him the title of ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet.’

Tyson may have lost his fight against Jake Paul last year, but it was in no way a representation of what the youngest heavyweight champion of the world was once capable of and what fueled his rapid rise in the sport. At his peak, Tyson knocked out Michael Spinks, an undefeated heavyweight champion, within 91 seconds of the fight, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. 

The stories of Tyson’s power and dominance continue to inspire—and intimidate—those who hear them. However, that doesn’t mean Tyson escaped unscathed. It doesn’t mean he never felt pain. And it certainly doesn’t mean there weren’t fighters who stood tall, fearless in the face of his fury. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Tyson revealed two names who were as powerful as him, if not more.

Asked when Tyson was hit the hardest, he put forth two names: Donovan Ruddock, and Evander Holyfield. “Razor Ruddock, Holy…,” Tyson said. Tyson, of course, dispatched Ruddock via 7th-round knockout during their first fight in March 1991. While the rematch saw the result change, it was in Tyson’s favor again—a unanimous decision. 

Unlike Ruddock, Holyfield was a different animal! In their first fight, ‘The Real Deal’  stopped Tyson in the 11th round, and the second one famously ended in chaos after Tyson bit off Holyfield’s ear. Regardless, Tyson continued, “Listen, I’ve been hit by some good guys. I’ve been really banged up.” Tyson knows exactly who hit him the hardest—but the real question is, who does he believe is the hardest hitter in boxing history?

Mike Tyson names the hardest puncher in the history of the sport

Despite his reputation as one of the hardest punchers in the sport of sweet science, Tyson didn’t choose himself when asked about the sport’s hardest hitter. In a 2022 interview with Fight Camp, the former heavyweight champion gave the nod to George Foreman. “[It’s George Foreman],” Tyson said. He believed that despite his power, he could never compete with Foreman’s size.

“I can’t match somebody’s power who’s that big and that much mass, man. The only thing that allowed me to be exciting was that I did it faster than the other guys.” At 6’4″ and 260 pounds, Foreman was significantly larger than the 5’10”, 220-pound Tyson in his prime. With 68 of his 76 wins coming by knockout, Foreman’s punching power was undeniable.

That said, it appears even the mighty Mike Tyson wasn’t immune to getting hurt by some of the greatest heavyweights of his generation. However, the question is, what if Mike Tyson was active today? Can the current heavyweights beat Tyson?