'Iron' Mike is considered one of the best fighters to have ever graced the ring, with his ferocious punch power and entertaining style causing mayhem for some of the world's leading heavyweights between the 80s and early 00s.
Similarly, Tyson found it extremely tough in his clash against Jose Ribalta one year earlier in 1986, who he suggested was the 'strongest' boxer he faced, with the 'best chin'."Jose Ribalta stood toe to toe with me. He was very strong in the clinches." It comes as less of a surprise that heavyweight great Larry Holmes earned the titles of 'best defence' and 'smartest' from their famous 1998 encounter.He said: "Larry Holmes had the toughest defence, even though I did win inside the distance. He was very tough to hit cleanly.Holmes attempted to snatch the unified titles from Tyson's hands but was beaten inside four rounds, after being dropped three times by the slicker boxer in the bout-ending stanza.
Tony Tubbs picked up the award for 'fastest hands' as he impressed the heavyweight great during their 1988 clash.