In just 10 days, legendary heavyweight champion Mike Tyson will lock horns with social media sensation Jake Paul at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In the meantime, former undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis took to social media to share an old clip featuring ‘Iron’ Mike and Shannon Briggs brawling on the streets of Brooklyn.

The clip originally surfaced online in April when Tyson shared it on social media, playfully shadowboxing with Briggs while surrounded by a throng of fans. Regardless, Lennox ‘The Lion’ Lewis, who once defeated both men, highlighted the brotherly bond Tyson and Briggs displayed a few months ago. 

Lennox Lewis remembers the Brownsville hug

Earlier today, Lewis shared the clip in question with the caption, “LET’S GO CHAMP!! – @miketyson and @cannon_briggs showing brotherly love.” The clip captured the moment from April when Tyson returned to his hometown of Brownsville, reuniting with fellow power-puncher Shannon Briggs. With fans gathering around, the energy was high as Tyson and Briggs playfully squared off. Tyson took off his shirt, and Briggs followed suit. The two exchanged harmless jabs, which quickly turned into a hug as their mini street brawl ended with laughter.

Briggs then lifted Tyson in his arms, officially wrapping up the friendly showdown. Tyson later posted the video on his Instagram, writing, “Brownsville’s finest always ready for a brawl. Love this guy @cannon_briggs.” Briggs shared it too, adding, “@miketyson and @cannon_briggs in Brownsville having a straightener in front of #AtlanticTowers!!!! @smoothedahustler the referee!!!! It’s on!!!”

While Tyson’s ring presence has garnered legendary acclaim, Briggs is equally famous for his knockout power. He showcased the same against Lennox Lewis in 1998. Though Briggs ultimately lost, Lewis once told Ring Magazine, “He lacked endurance, but Briggs certainly knew how to put his bodyweight behind a punch.”

As fans watched the clip today, they didn’t hold back in sharing their excitement in the comments.

Fans give their stamp of approval for Mike Tyson vs. Shannon Briggs

Even though the clip was old, the emotions it brought out were fresh. One user poked fun at Tyson for his mistake in the past. “Shannon should be careful with his ears,” the user wrote. Tyson’s bite fight debacle is infamous—he bit a part of Evander Holyfield’s ear off in the 1997 rematch. Meanwhile, this user preferred Tyson fighting Briggs over Jake Paul. “This would be a more appropriate battle for Mike instead of the upcoming one with Jake,” the user commented. However, it might not generate as much money. Another user lamented about a fight that never happened. “This fight would’ve been insane,” the user wrote. The fight could have happened but Tyson retired in 2005 while Briggs retired in 2016. 

Someone else revealed what they would have done if Tyson and Briggs had brawled in front of him. “If they go they go, I ain’t getting in the middle 😂,” the user wrote. Interestingly, even in the clip, no one dared to get in the middle. 

The next user claimed that’s all the fighting Tyson should be involved in at his age. “This is as much boxing action as I want to see Mike Tyson have right now…,” the user’s comment read. Remarkably, Albert Hughes Jr., a super welterweight fighter, stepped into the ring at age 70 in 2019 and emerged victorious. His opponent, however, had yet to win a single boxing match.

That said, Lennox Lewis seems to have been intrigued by the clip of Mike Tyson and Shannon Briggs from earlier this year—and so were the fans, who expressed their thoughts. What about you? What did you think of their playfight?