‘When Holmes beat up Ali, that when I took it perthonal’: How ‘Teenage mutant ninja Tyson’ Got Revenge For Muhammad Ali – VIDEO NOT SUITABLE FOR THOSE WITH A WEAK HEART 

Mike Tyson was a kid training under Cus D’ Mato when Larry Holmes beat down Muhammad Ali in 1980. The next morning Mike spoke to Ali, for the first time. Mike Tyson made a promise to avenge the fallen icon as a teenager. As a man in 1988 Mike Tyson was reminded what he promised years ago.

On October 2nd, 1980, the boxing world witnessed the clash between Muhammad Ali and Larry Holmes in Albany, New York. After watching the fight on pay-per-view at their residence, a castle 30 miles north of Albany, the atmosphere in the car on the way back to Catskill, where they lived, was heavy with silence. No words were exchanged as they drove back.

The following morning, Cus D’Amato, Mike Tyson’s mentor, was on the phone with Muhammad Ali, expressing his dismay at the fight’s outcome. Ali seemed emotional, questioning why Holmes allowed himself to be hit by Ali, referring to him as a “bum.” Cus provided advice, urging Ali not to let someone like Holmes beat him and to stand up to the bully.

During the conversation, Ali mentioned that if he ever got big, he would seek revenge on Holmes and restore Ali’s honor. This moment left a lasting impact on Mike Tyson, who overheard the conversation. Tyson, adopted by Cus D’Amato and residing in the Catskills, developed a determination to avenge Ali and focused on becoming a formidable force in the boxing world.

Muhammad Ali’s decline in the later years of his career.

Ali faced health issues, including Parkinson’s disease, coordination problems, and kidney failure. Despite these challenges, Ali continued to fight, driven by his legendary stubbornness and refusal to concede defeat.

Larry Holmes, who had once been a sparring partner for Ali, emerged from his shadow and stepped into the spotlight in 1980. Holmes, often criticized for his role in Ali’s decline, faced his own battles in gaining acceptance from fans. Despite becoming a champion, he faced resentment from Ali’s supporters.

The narrative explores the contrasting styles of Mike Tyson and Larry Holmes. Tyson, under Cus D’Amato’s guidance, perfected the peekaboo style, emphasizing head movement and pressure-based counter-punching. This style allowed the shorter Tyson to excel in close-quarters combat, especially against taller opponents.

Holmes, known for his genius jab, faced criticism and dislike from fans, particularly Ali supporters. The tension culminated in Tyson’s opportunity to face Holmes in 1988, providing a chance for Tyson to fulfill his promise to Ali. The fight ended in a knockout, marking the only knockout defeat in Holmes’s career.

Tyson reflects on the concept of greatness, acknowledging the impact of witnessing Ali’s fights and recognizing the distinction between ego and true greatness. He expresses gratitude for his current life and emphasizes that while he may want to prove himself as a tough guy, he values the life he has built.

‘When I grow up, I’ll fight Holmes and get him back for you’: Mike Tyson reveals he promised Muhammad Ali he’d get revenge on heavyweight after watching ‘The Greatest’ lose in brutal fashion to rival on TV when he was 14

Mike Tyson has revealed he promised Muhammad Ali he’d get revenge on Larry Holmes for his brutal defeat in their 1980 world heavyweight title bout.

Ali was warned not to take the fight after a pre-bout examination revealed he was in poor physical shape as a result of his long career in the heavyweight division.

But Ali ignored medical advice and vowed to beat Holmes in their title clash, only to suffer a resounding beating at the hands of the ‘Easton Assassin’.

Mike Tyson says he promised Muhammad Ali he’d get revenge on Larry Holmes for 1980 defeat

Tyson fought Holmes eight years later and beat the 38-year-old inside four devastating rounds

Tyson says he was desperate to defeat Holmes after watching Ali’s defeat as a 14-year-old

‘The Greatest’ survived until the 10th round but was eventually pulled out by his trainer Angelo Dundee who didn’t want to see him take further punishment.

A 14-year-old Tyson watched the fight on TV alongside his trainer Cus d’Amato, with the pair left devastated by Ali’s loss.

‘The next morning, Cus was on the phone with Muhammad Ali after taking this shellacking from Holmes,’ he told ESPN.

‘He said to Ali, ‘I have this young black kid who is going to be heavyweight champion some day and I want you to talk to him.’

Tyson’s relentless power punching was too much for Holmes as he fulfilled his promise to Ali

The teenage Tyson took the phone from his trainer and said: ”When I grow up, I’ll fight Holmes and I’ll get him back for you.’

Tyson lured a 38-year-old Holmes out of retirement in 1988 after becoming the youngest world heavyweight champion in history two years earlier, aged 20.

Minutes before the bout, which lasted just four rounds before Tyson stopped Holmes in typically vicious fashion, Ali gave him a special message.

Tyson recalled: ‘Just before the first bell, Ali whispered: ‘Remember what you said – get him for me.’

Despite that loss, Holmes went on to fight a further 24 times and fought for the heavyweight world title twice more, against Evander Holyfield in 1991 and Oliver Mcall four years later, but lost both bouts.