In the 1980s, standing across the ring from Mike Tyson often meant envisioning a predictable outcome: lying flat on the canvas. Tyson’s devastating power left countless opponents defeated in dramatic fashion. One such encounter came in 1988 when Larry Holmes faced Tyson and attempted to defy his fate but succumbed to a fourth-round knockout. Now, 36 years later, Holmes, at 75 years old, is expressing interest in a rematch with Tyson, albeit not for revenge but for other reasons.
Tyson, now 58, returned to the ring on November 15 for a high-profile fight against Jake Paul. The legendary fighter’s performance, however, was hampered by age, as he was unable to deliver the same explosive punches that once defined his career. As a result, Tyson left the arena with a decision loss. Holmes, like millions of others, watched the bout and shared his blunt assessment of the fight during an interview with Fight Hub TV.
Holmes, who boasts a record of 69-6, criticized the fight, stating that Paul was fortunate to face Tyson in his later years. Describing the fight, he remarked, “He [Paul] happened to be one of the lucky guys who fought one of the guys that’s going out of business. Mike doesn’t have it anymore. We don’t have it. So he can’t get a rematch because his boy ain’t gonna fight him again. They got $8 million or $9 million.” The host, however, corrected Holmes, pointing out that Tyson had earned $20 million from the fight, while Paul walked away with $40 million. The figures shocked Holmes, who then proposed his own return to the ring against Tyson for a potential payday.
Holmes joked about the lucrative opportunity, saying, “Listen, I’m 50-something years old. God damn, let me fight Mike like that. How much to come out of retirement? Like pick up $50 million? I gotta do it.” Despite his lighthearted tone, Holmes was clearly intrigued by the idea of revisiting the ring for financial gain in retirement.
Reflecting on his initial clash with Tyson, Holmes acknowledged Tyson’s immense power but stopped short of calling him the hardest puncher he’d ever faced. Instead, he credited that title to Earnie Shavers, a fighter known for his incredible punching strength. Holmes shared that Tyson’s power came with an intent to completely overwhelm his opponents. He recounted, “I fought Mike, and he hit me, and that was the end of it. Earnie Shavers was the hardest I’ve ever faced. But when Tyson hits, he tries to kill you.”
Holmes also recalled the force of Tyson’s punches during their bout, adding humorously, “Mike knocked the s–t out of me. He hit me so hard I went ‘wooooo.’ And he beat me. It was embarrassing.” He even joked that Tyson’s power was so extreme that he should have been “locked up.”
Despite Holmes’ interest in a rematch, such a fight remains unlikely. Tyson’s future opponents could include other notable figures, with names like Lennox Lewis potentially being next in line. The prospect of Holmes re-entering the ring at his age is doubtful, but his comments have reignited discussions about Tyson’s legacy, his current capabilities, and the spectacle of boxing’s legends revisiting the sport.