Tony Tubbs was a heavyweight mainstay in the 80s, touching gloves with some of the best.
The American rose to prominence during a golden era for the blue ribbon division, competing against Riddick Bowe, Tim Witherspoon and most notably Mike Tyson.
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Tubbs fought “Iron Mike” in a huge event in Tokyo in March 1988 for the undisputed heavyweight titles, but was quickly outclassed in a complete mismatch.
‘TNT’ was stopped in two rounds by the famous power puncher, who finished the fight with a vicious barrage after total domination from the opening bell.
During an interview with The Ring in September 2018, Tubbs named Tyson as the “best puncher” he faced and as possessing the “fastest hands.”
But he believes going inside against his smaller opponent allowed Tyson to quickly shut down the contest.
He said in the interview: “When Tyson hit me, I felt dizzy. When you are younger, you can take the puncher better than when you get older.
“If I had stayed on the outside, he wouldn’t have beaten me. He gave up all his strength after five rounds. He was a puncher.
“Some fighters would never have fought Tyson, Riddick Bowe would never have fought Mike Tyson.
“Bowe never fought anyone, he never fought Lennox Lewis. I’m glad I had the fights I had.
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“I think Tyson was much stronger than Bowe. Tyson was a comer; he was like a Joe Frazier.
“He depended on his hitting and he was a fast hitter. He had short arms, but when he went in, he could dig, so you don’t want to let him in.”
The heavyweight icon was later named the best fighter Tubbs has fought with, calling his former opponent a “force of nature.”
Tyson achieved everything in his career, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion of the world for the first time at just 20 years old, defeating Trevor Berbick in 1986.
He also reigned as undisputed heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990, and mixed it with the best of his own career against other top fighters, including Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Larry Holmes.
The American retired in 2005 but has since reappeared in the squared circle in an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr.
To the shock of the boxing world, he announced that he would make his comeback against Jake Paul on July 20 at the age of 58.
Reports are circulating that the fight could take place under professional rules, a worrying outcome given the significant age gap between the two men.
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