Mike Tyson was in no doubt when naming only boxer who could take his full punch power
Mike Tyson once named the only boxer who could take his full punch power during his legendary career.
Tyson enjoyed a stellar professional boxing career, which he resumed when he fought Jake Paul last month.
Before his fight against Paul, he recorded 58 fights, winning 50 of them including a staggering 44 victories inside the distance.
Tyson fought some of the biggest names of his era, facing the likes of Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis and Buster Douglas, who produced, at the time, the biggest upset in the sport’s history when he scored a shock win in Tokyo, Japan.
Despite losing to Holyfield, Lewis and Douglas, he snubbed the trio when naming the opponent who could live with his power inside the ring.
That goes to Jose Ribalta, who fought ‘Iron’ Mike back in August 1986.
Tyson won the bout via TKO in the 10th round at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City in New Jersey.
Even though he eventually wore down Ribalta and stopped him in the final round of their scheduled contest, Tyson felt that he was the one and only fighter that was able to take his punches.
Speaking to Ring TV in a Q&A back in 2014, he revealed: “I hit Jose Ribalta with everything, and he took everything and kept coming back for more.
“Jose Ribalta stood toe to toe with me. He was very strong in the clinches.”
Cuba’s Ribalta had 22 pro wins to his name when he fought Tyson, who was an unbeaten phenom when they met.
Tyson had taken out his opponents in the opening stages, but Ribalta gave him rounds.
Ribalta reeled off nine wins in a row after his defeat to Tyson and went onto fight the likes of Tim Witherspoon, Bruce Seldon, Frank Bruno, Larry Holmes and Vitali Klitschko before calling time on his career.
