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.

Ryan Garcia has suffered professional losses to both Gervonta Davis and Rolando Romero, but the Californian maintains that neither fighter has hit him the hardest in his professional career so far.

Garcia was boarded four times during his professional career, including: two of them will go against Davis in 2023where he was eliminated in rounds two and seven, which remains the only defeat to interrupt his career.

Last year, Garcia was knocked out again in the second round during Romero’s disappointing and unsuccessful WBA welterweight title fight – losing most of the fight in an uncharacteristic display.

However, when discussing who hit him the hardest after the loss to Romero, Garcia recalled his 2021 triumph over Hull’s Luke Campbell in a clip from the press conference, recorded by FightHype, was re-released.

“I feel like Luke Campbell made me feel dizzy the most. I actually felt dizzy with Luke Campbell when I got up, but with Rolly’s [knockdown] I didn’t feel dizzy. I thought to myself, “Well, here we go again.”

“I don’t really get much out of it. I’m just always there. For some reason, I always get knocked down in a flash and get right back up.”

Like Davis and Romero, Campbell is another fighter who knocked down Garcia in the second round, and the 2012 London gold medalist came close to a notable victory when he collided with Garcia in Dallas.

However, on this occasion, Garcia showed the courage and cunning to get back into the fight, stopping “Cold Hand” in round seven and winning the WBC interim lightweight title in a coming-of-age performance.

Matt Floyd claims James DeGale knocked out six sparring partners before their bare-knuckle fight, offering another look at the former world champion’s winning debut.

DeGale defeated Floyd by unanimous decision in a tumultuous BKFC fight last September, but Floyd says the performance was not representative of the level his opponent had achieved in pre-fight camp.

Six sparring knockouts

“I respect James DeGale as a boxer. He is one of the greatest boxers England has produced – an Olympic gold medalist and world champion,” Floyd said.

“Kedu Uchegbu, who managed our fight, later told me that DeGale had knocked out six sparring partners in camp and looked the best he had ever been in our fight.”

From Floyd’s account, DeGale was in great shape, even if it didn’t show that evening.

Floyd’s view of the fight

DeGale ultimately secured a unanimous decision in a brutal and often violent clash with BKFC that was shaped by point deductions, fouls and constant hostility between the two.

The Londoner fell during the fight and Floyd was disciplined multiple times because the fight threatened to go beyond the rules. Still, DeGale did enough on the scorecards to get his hand raised in his debut.

Floyd insists it was more due to his own style than any lack of sharpness on DeGale’s part.

“But because of how clumsy I am and the fighting style I pride myself in, I make the best fighters look average. Not because they are, but because of what I bring to the ring,” he explained.

“James DeGale wasn’t average tonight. I just made it look that way.”

Floyd maintained this view as he reflected on the performance.

“And I will continue to make the best fighters in the world look average. I will make the best fighters in the world not want to be there with me.”

The ambition remains

The Australian’s confidence extended beyond the fight with DeGale. Floyd recently posted a photo in which he claims to have offered identical terms to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Billy Joe Saunders and Tommy Fury as he continues to pursue high-profile opponents.

He previously told World Boxing News that a fight with Fury had been agreed for March, although the fight has yet to materialize.

Floyd also unusually pursued a showdown with Saunders, even going to a British pub to get involved in a proposed parking lot collision that never happened.

It’s unclear where Chavez Jr. fits into this equation, but Floyd’s willingness to attack established names is obvious despite DeGale’s defeat.

Confidence remains unchanged

The Australian also made it clear that the result did not change how he viewed his level.

“Not only do I make it uncomfortable – I will also beat anyone they put in front of me like I beat James DeGale and I will continue to make it look simple like I did with Chunky.”

This indicates that DeGale is in much better condition than the fight itself suggested, despite the victory.

About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.