Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Mike Tyson, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Heavyweight Boxing
Marcus Chan
Topics: Mike Tyson, Anthony Joshua, Boxing, Heavyweight Boxing
Mike Tyson did not hesitate when asked if he could beat British boxer Anthony Joshua in his prime.
34-year-old Joshua is set to take on fellow Brit Daniel Dubois at Wembley with the IBF belt on offer.
During the pre-fight press conference, Dubois did not say much as he said three times: "I'm ready to fight."
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Meanwhile, Joshua said: “I look at myself as a gladiator and I'm going to step into the arena tomorrow to perform for the people.
“I started late in boxing but it shows you can achieve anything. I'm not a warrior in the garden yet, I'm still on the battlefield.”
In a previous interview boxing legend Tyson spoke very positively about Joshua.
As per The Sun, he said: "Hey, I really like him. You know what he is? He’s really a breath of fresh air.
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“He’s really clean, he really looks clean, he’s a clean guy, he’s a clean fighter, he’s a good puncher.
“You just wish the best for him.
“I don’t know. My ego says, ‘nobody would beat you’ - but you look at him and... he just looks beautiful.
“He just looks like a fighter, you know? He looks like he was born to do what he has to do. He needs more experience of course, but that will come in life.”
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However, Tyson believes when he was at his best in the late 1980's, no one has it in them to beat him - including Joshua and former WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.
Asked if he would beat Joshua and Fury on his Hotboxin' podcast, Tyson said: "Yes. Listen, if you’re asking me if I was 20 years old, then yes, there’s no doubt.
"They’re really good fighters and I respect all these skills. It would have been very tough fighting them."
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Back in 2017, Joshua was asked if Tyson would beat him, he said: “Mike Tyson would have battered me. There was no way I could have taken on that guy. I would have taken that paycheck. I would have taken a dive against Tyson.
“He was a beast, mate, he was a beast. I give all credit and respect to Tyson. Even now, Tyson is in his 40s going on 50, I still remember Tyson as the young, young 21-year-old. He was that good and made such an impact on the sport.”