BoxRec

Boxing legend Evander Holyfield finally revealed why he was never intimidated by his former heavyweight rival Mike Tyson.

In Tyson’s wild boxing career, Holyfield was arguably the only opponent who frustrated “Iron Mike” like nobody else did. Unfortunately for Holyfield, he can’t really change the fact that he was recognizable to most boxing fans because Tyson bit his ear during their blockbuster rematch than what he has accomplished as a world champion. Nevertheless, Holyfield is still one of the best heavyweight fighters in history. But whether he hate it or love it, Tyson’s name will always be associated with his.

In a recent interview with Elie Seckbach of EsNews, “The Real Deal” once again addressed his true thoughts about his former nemesis. Tyson was famous for instilling fear towards most of his opponents but Holyfield evidently was not intimidated by “The Baddest Man on the Planet” at all. In fact, he even stopped the prime Tyson twice.

When asked why he was never scared of Tyson, the 57-year-old legend explained that there is no room for fear inside him as he believes greatness can only be achieved if fear doesn’t exists.

“I wasn’t afraid, I wasn’t afraid of nobody. You only be great if you don’t have that fear. And fear is not a feeling. It’s what you do. If you would punch me, I’m gonna punch you. I’ve got to get mine before you get yours,” Holyfield pointed out.

Holyfield wasn’t the first fighter to stop Tyson in his prime. Buster Douglas did KO’d Tyson and to the eyes of many, it was the toughest defeat of his career. However, Holyfield proved that Tyson can be stopped even without knocking him out cold. In both of their epic battles, Holyfield outboxed Tyson making him badly frustrated that he even decided to bit the legend’s ear.

Despite the hype of their incredible rivalry, Tyson and Holyfield ended up being good friends after their boxing careers. In 2014, Tyson admitted in an exclusive interview with Ring Magazine that Holyfield was the best opponent he ever faced inside the ring.

According to Tyson, Holyfield was the only fighter to tag him with “terrific shots with bad intensions.” And ultimately, Holyfield was the best overall fighter he has ever fought.

“He threw terrific shots with both hands and with bad intentions. Great champion: chin, heart, determination, work ethic, demeanor,” Tyson said of Holyfield.

Unfortunately for Holyfield, he can’t really change the fact that he was recognizable to most boxing fans because Tyson bit his ear during their blockbuster rematch than what he has accomplished as a world champion.

I'm pretty sure most boxing fans recognize Evander Holyfield whether he had the Tyson fights or not, it's Evander Holyfield, not some dude like Tony Tubbs or Greg Page

No shit, I'm pretty sure he was the ppv leader before Floyd. All boxing fans knew him from the Olympics and cruiser fights. At a minimum, surely they knew him from beating the crap out of Mike the first time. One of the dumbest things ever written.

Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield. What a fighter! They don't make them like this anymore.

I knew that he could beat Iron Mike. I knew that he was the man to do it when he became the Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion AFTER beating Buster Douglas.

When HE was going to face Tyson in November, 1991, I knew that he was going to beat TYSON, BUT, the fight was postponed due to Tyson's injury and rape charges.

I saw a side ( perhaps 2 sides)of Tyson in Glasgow in 2000. On the day of the weigh in and medical examination, behind screens, I watched Tyson perfectly relaxed, very friendly to other boxers/trainers who wanted photographed with him. He laughed and joked with the Doctor doing the tests. Had time for everybody, and believe me he was well under 6 foot.
When he went round to the stage for the weigh-in - what a turnaround!! He became an obscene raging monster supported by the utter morons who surrounded including 'Crocodile' and, sadly, Mike McCallum who to this day is the most obnoxious/ and racist, boxer I've met.

dalcumly wrote: ↑01 Apr 2020, 08:31 and believe me he was well under 6 foot.

Others have said he was 5'10" at the most, some have said as short as 5'8 or 5'9, what do you think he was?

Controversial wrote: ↑01 Apr 2020, 09:05

dalcumly wrote: ↑01 Apr 2020, 08:31 and believe me he was well under 6 foot.

Others have said he was 5'10" at the most, some have said as short as 5'8 or 5'9, what do you think he was?

I’d say 5’9” max going by my mates profile picture. He’s 6” and Tyson looks tiny next to him at a meet and greet. He’s shrunk it seems

I was standing right next to him and he was slouching a bit wearing trainers but I would say if he stood up as tall as he could he'd be 5'10"

dalcumly wrote: ↑01 Apr 2020, 14:57 I was standing right next to him and he was slouching a bit wearing trainers but I would say if he stood up as tall as he could he'd be 5'10"

He always seems to wear really thick trainers too

When you KO the guy (Buster Douglas) who KOed Mike Tyson before, you have no reason to afraid of him, it's even silly to ask this to that guy.

Tevfik1907 wrote: ↑01 Apr 2020, 15:37 When you KO the guy (Buster Douglas) who KOed Mike Tyson before, you have no reason to afraid of him, it's even silly to ask this to that guy.

That doesn't make you a lock to beat your man. Million examples in boxing. Tucker KOd Douglas. Did he KO Tyson?

I would of thought the massive amount of steroids holyfield had taken before the fights would of helped as well . I'd feel pretty hard if I was as juiced up as evander appeared to be .

paddy chavez wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 05:02 I would of thought the massive amount of steroids holyfield had taken before the fights would of helped as well . I'd feel pretty hard if I was as juiced up as evander appeared to be .

Wouldn't Tyson's steroids help him too? He paid Razor Ruddock a lot of money to not take a steroids test and make Razor shut up about steroids.

Onamastus wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 05:16

paddy chavez wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 05:02 I would of thought the massive amount of steroids holyfield had taken before the fights would of helped as well . I'd feel pretty hard if I was as juiced up as evander appeared to be .

Wouldn't Tyson's steroids help him too? He paid Razor Ruddock a lot of money to not take a steroids test and make Razor shut up about steroids.

I can't say I've ever heard or read about that , any links?

Onamastus wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 04:41

Tevfik1907 wrote: ↑01 Apr 2020, 15:37 When you KO the guy (Buster Douglas) who KOed Mike Tyson before, you have no reason to afraid of him, it's even silly to ask this to that guy.

That doesn't make you a lock to beat your man. Million examples in boxing. Tucker KOd Douglas. Did he KO Tyson?

Tucker KOed Buster long before the Tyson fight.

Buster wasn't the champion when Tucker KOed him. The idea is that either Buster has grown stronger, or that Tyson has grown weaker. So beating Buster gives him a huge confidence against Tyson.

Tevfik1907 wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 08:02

Onamastus wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 04:41

That doesn't make you a lock to beat your man. Million examples in boxing. Tucker KOd Douglas. Did he KO Tyson?

Tucker KOed Buster long before the Tyson fight.

Buster wasn't the champion when Tucker KOed him. The idea is that either Buster has grown stronger, or that Tyson has grown weaker. So beating Buster gives him a huge confidence against Tyson.

I don't think Holyfield needed a mental boost to believe he could handle Tyson. And no one thought Douglas made a serious attempt at winning versus Holyfield anyway.

I agree with Ona here, I think triangles don't work for results or fear, but in this case I doubt Holy fears any man, he was just one of those bad assess. 2 fights vs Lewis, 2 vs Tyson, 3 vs Bowe, going pretty much straight for the highest levels after turning pro and beating every dude at cruiser before moving up,, never showing any hesistancy to go to war etc.... really no signs that are inconsistent with his claim that he didn't' fear anyone .

Onamastus wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 09:22

Tevfik1907 wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 08:02



Tucker KOed Buster long before the Tyson fight.

Buster wasn't the champion when Tucker KOed him. The idea is that either Buster has grown stronger, or that Tyson has grown weaker. So beating Buster gives him a huge confidence against Tyson.

I don't think Holyfield needed a mental boost to believe he could handle Tyson. And no one thought Douglas made a serious attempt at winning versus Holyfield anyway.

Yeah, but no one thought Holyfield would make a quick work of Buster and KO him in 3 rounds either.

The way you beat your opponents, also gives you confidence. Holyfield turned Buster into a random boxer after 3 rounds, it's the same guy that KOed Tyson.

And he should be afraid of Tyson after that? Of course not. You would be like ''this guy wasn't afraid of Tyson, and KOed him, and I KOed this guy in 3 rounds, Tyson should be afraid of me''

After losing their ''invincibility'' no fighter was the same.

Frazier was never the same after the Foreman fight.
Foreman was never the same after the Ali fight.
AJ won't be the same after the Ruiz fight, and we already saw that in the second Ruiz fight where he fought cowardly.
Wilder won't be the same after the Fury fight.

Mike Tyson was never the same after losing his invincibility as well.

The more examples can be made. The only exception to this is probably Ali, and that's why he is the greatest.

It's not really a matter worth arguing, but Holyfield beating Douglas won't have given him any less fear of Tyson because he had no fear of him in the first place.

He wanted Tyson, not Douglas. King avoided holy for a bit. Mike could never beat him.

paddy chavez wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 05:36

Onamastus wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 05:16

Wouldn't Tyson's steroids help him too? He paid Razor Ruddock a lot of money to not take a steroids test and make Razor shut up about steroids.

I can't say I've ever heard or read about that , any links?

If Tyson was happy taking recreational drugs why would he have an issue with performance enhancing drugs? Serious question Steve

Onamastus wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 17:28 It's not really a matter worth arguing, but Holyfield beating Douglas won't have given him any less fear of Tyson because he had no fear of him in the first place.

After Holyfield slugged it out with Qawi in his 12th pro fight I think it was clear that he didn't have much fear in him.

Wee Tommy wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 00:56

paddy chavez wrote: ↑02 Apr 2020, 05:36
I can't say I've ever heard or read about that , any links?

If Tyson was happy taking recreational drugs why would he have an issue with performance enhancing drugs? Serious question Steve

Completely different to me mate I've stuck most drugs in me for fun but I'd never take PEDs . not saying Tyson wouldn't just I've never heard that he was on steroids before

paddy chavez wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 07:32

Wee Tommy wrote: ↑03 Apr 2020, 00:56

If Tyson was happy taking recreational drugs why would he have an issue with performance enhancing drugs? Serious question Steve

Completely different to me mate I've stuck most drugs in me for fun but I'd never take PEDs . not saying Tyson wouldn't just I've never heard that he was on steroids before

Folk tend to keep it quiet mate. Especially pro boxers.

Why wouldn’t you take PEDs?

It was quite clear from the off that Holyfield was not scared of Tyson in any way.

Tyson himself realised that after about the second round of the first fight when he knew it wasn't going to be an easy night.

The only one of those two that was scared was Tyson: Look at the staredown before the rematch; I have never seen a boxer so scared looking.