Mike Tyson may have once been widely known as “the baddest man in the world,” but he wasn’t everyone’s most unsafe opponent. The youngest ever world heavyweight boxing champion fought 58 times in his iconic career, losing only six times.

One of them faced one of the best British boxers of all time, Lennox Lewis.

The only clash between the two came in 2002 in Tennessee, when Lewis, who had all four belts in his division on the line, knocked out the American with a devastating right hook in the eighth round.

One of the British icon’s most memorable shows took place there, but according to the man himself, it wasn’t his most arduous task. Three years before the fight with Tyson, Lewis fought two fights with Evander Holyfield, giving him a chance to unify the heavyweight division.

Their first contest at Madison Square Garden controversially ended in a draw, even though Lewis appeared to dominate the proceedings. However, in the rematch, he made amends by taking a unanimous decision against the man known as “The Real Deal”.

In an Instagram post, the 59-year-old explained why Holyfield was the toughest opponent he had ever faced. “People seem really surprised when I tell them that Holyfield is my toughest opponent, not to be confused with my toughest fight, which was Ray Mercer,” he wrote.

“It’s a huge experience and it’s unthreatening to say that by the time we met for the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1999, he had seen it all. When you combine Evander’s amateur and professional experience, it’s challenging not to notice the success he’s had in the ring.

“I may tease him a bit during our two fights, he knows I won both fights even though he won’t admit it. But seriously, he’s the only man who has fought 24 rounds with me.”

Lewis also mentioned that Holyfield had previously been crowned the undisputed champion at the cruiserweight level, calling him the “best ever” in that weight class. And for what it’s worth, Tyson, who returns to professional boxing this weekend after his clash with Jake Paul, apparently agrees.

He also previously hailed Holyfield as his toughest opponent, praising his dedication and in-ring skills. “A great champion – beard, heart, determination, work ethic, attitude,” he said.

In addition to Lewis and Holyfield, Tyson also suffered losses to James “Buster” Douglas, Danny Williams and Irish journeyman Kevin McBride. That final fight in 2005 was initially his last of his career, and the 58-year-old retired immediately thereafter until his professional fight against Paul this weekend.

Tony Bellew ridiculed Jake Paul’s claims that he can beat Canelo Alvarez ahead of Friday’s fight with Mike Tyson.

Bellew broken gate Wednesday’s press conference devoted to Paul’s controversial fight with Tyson, during which he ridiculed the YouTuber for fighting the nearly 60-year-old Tyson.

“The Problem Child” has repeatedly assured that one day he will not only fight, but also defeat unified super middleweight world champion Alvarez, who has only lost to Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol.

There are few, if any, in the boxing world who would give the 27-year-old a good chance of competing with the Mexican icon, widely considered one of the best of his generation.

And in an interview with MailSportBellew stated that even Paul himself did not think he could upset Alvarez.

“He really doesn’t believe he can beat Canelo.

“Listen, I’m 41 years ancient and he couldn’t lace up my gloves. Not suitable for carrying my belt.

“I’m over it, a retired boxer who plays golf a few times a week and he still has no chance with me, let alone Canelo.

“Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is probably one of the best fighters I have ever seen, he is that good.

“In terms of counter-punching, he’s probably in the top five best fighters in boxing history.

“The guy is a freak, a modern-day Thanos.

“Jake Paul says things to get a response and a reaction. If he was grave about boxing, he would face really vigorous boxers.

“Or he would face former world champions who are not grandparents!”

Paul’s fight with Tyson was met with weighty criticism, with some expressing concerns about the health of the former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, who had to withdraw from the July 20 event due to the flare-up of an ulcer.

Despite this being a fully licensed professional fight, the pair will wear larger gloves and fight in two-minute rounds.

65,000 fans are expected to be in attendance at AT&T Stadium, with Netflix viewership estimated in the tens of millions.

Both of them turned up the heat before the fight during Thursday’s weigh-in with Tyson hitting an opponent before being thrown out by security as tempers reached fever pitch.

“Iron Mike,” who has been out of professional boxing for almost two decades, will hope to turn back the years and become the second man to defeat Paul.

Heavyweight boxing legend Butterbean said he is more than ready to replace Mike Tyson should the former world champion suffer any more health complications ahead of his fight with Jake Paul. Butterbean, whose real name is Eric Esch, is also a 58-year-old former boxer who was best known for his ability to knock people out at will.

The Atlanta native was also looking forward to fighting Paul, repeatedly calling out the YouTuber. Butterbean left the ring for good after losing his last fight to Kirk Lawton in 2013.

After undergoing a stunning body transformation, he feels more than ready for another battle in the squared circle. So much so that he promised to be in Texas for Tyson’s fight with Paul.

He took it TikTok and said, “Mike Tyson and Jake Paul, I will be at the fight to challenge the winner of the fight, yes. Mike, if you drop out again, I’ll be there to take your place.”

Esch finished his career with 77 wins, 57 by knockout and only 10 losses. Boxing fans remember him fondly as one of the funniest fighters to ever grace the sport.

By comparison, Tyson initially retired from boxing with 50 wins, 44 knockouts and six knockouts. His fight with Paul will be a fully sanctioned professional fight that will count towards both fighters’ records.

Tyson has not taken part in such a fight since 2005, when he was knocked out after the sixth round against Kevin McBride. Despite suffering a stomach ulcer that delayed his first fight, Tyson assured fans that his health problems were now behind him.

Tyson tipped the scales and achieved an impressive 233 pounds (16 and a half stone). When asked how he felt before the fight, he replied: “I’m fine. Nobody treats me calmly. They want to see if I leave or not and I’m still here. All training is over. Fighting is a party, training is preparation, but fighting is a party.”

Tyson escalated their feud by punching Paul during their last confrontation, leading to their separation. Paul responded to the argument by touching his cheek and laughing at Tyson.

The “problem child” mocked Tyson even more in an interview after the incident. He said: “I didn’t even feel it. He’s enraged, he’s an enraged little elf.

“Mike Tyson, I thought that was a cute slap, buddy, but you’re going to get knocked out tomorrow. Fuck him, fuck him. Hits like a female dog. It’s personal now. He must die.