Heavyweight fan favorite Mike Tyson remains a fan of the sport to this day, and now the one-time “Baddest Man on the Planet” has chosen his five favorite busy fighters.
At the age of 20, “Iron Mike” obliterated all opposition to winning the world title – a record that will likely never be broken, and a feat that will forever be etched in the history books.
Tyson became a two-time champion of the division and one of the biggest stars the sport has ever produced, and Muhammad Ali was probably the only man who could beat him in the recognition stakes.
Surprisingly, Tyson returned to professional life in 2024, when suffered his seventh career loss to YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paulbreaking the record of a former world heavyweight champion with the longest professional career, which was broken this year by Oliver McCall.
Despite the talk of exhibitions, Tyson now observes, analyzes and engages in the development of adolescent fighters. He said before his last Amateur Invitational Ring magazine who he likes to watch the most.
“I like [Shakur] Stevenson, you know. I like Keyshawn Davis, I do [Terence] Crawford. I like [Naoya] Inoue, that Japanese guy, I like him. Who is Charlo’s brother, Jermall? He’s a really good fighter.”
Defending champion and four-weight world champion Shakur Stevenson is currently considered one of the best fighters in the sport. After his victory over Teofimo Lopez, he is planning his next move, considering whether to choose lightweight or super lightweight. Keyshawn Davis is a close friend and training partner of Stevenson, who is proving to be just as challenging to beat, although he is still waiting for that essential, breakthrough fight.
Crawford – the mentor of both fighters – retired from boxing tardy last year after defeating Saul “Canelo” Alvarez against the odds. Most believed that when he hung up the gloves, Naoya Inoue had moved up the rankings pound for pound, and the Japanese “Monster” continued to dominate the lower weight classes with sturdy knockouts and clear victories.
The inclusion of Jermall Charlo is the most left-field choice for “Iron” Mike, considering his crippling inactivity over the last five years, in which he has fought just twice. Things were looking up recently when the two-division champion was reportedly given a shot at the WBA super middleweight champion in June, but news quickly emerged that he would not be at the event for unknown reasons.