Mike Tyson has been one of the world’s most intimidating men since the 1980s, but he was unable to frighten Floyd Mayweather when they met up at an event in late 2014.
During a meeting of former WBC boxing world champions, the former heavyweight champion decided to test the resolve of the then pound-for-pound king, who retired from the ring with a 50-0 record.
Mayweather is regarded as the one of the greatest ever and retired unbeatenCredit: Chris Farina/Top Rank
Mike Tyson in his prime was a fearsome prospectCredit: Getty Images Sport Classic – Getty
And when the two met on stage it was all smiles – once Tyson had tried to shake up ‘Money’
It was already known that the pair were not on good terms, supposedly stemming from a police raid back in 2001 – a time when they were both two of the biggest names in the boxing world, with Tyson more prominent than Mayweather.
A former assistant of ‘Iron Mike’, Darryl Francis, told USA Today that Tyson’s dislike for Mayweather originated from the fact he believed his compatriot called for the raid.
Police entered Tyson’s Las Vegas home in September of that year after a woman accused him of 𝓈ℯ𝓍ually assaulting her on two occasions.
In his book, Tyson said a friend told him the alleged victim had also been dating ‘another prominent boxer.’
Tyson always insisted he could not prove anything and later said: “I’m good with it now. You can forgive, but you have to remember.”
Thirteen years later when they met on stage, Tyson charged over to Mayweather and pretended he was going to punch his rival – only to pull it at the last second.
Mayweather didn’t flinch and they embraced, somewhat awkwardly.
Although the incident appeared jovial, comments made just a year later appeared to suggest this was not the case.
In a 2015 interview, Mayweather claimed he was the greatest boxer of all time, over Muhammad Ali and Tyson.
Tyson took exception to the comments, not about himself, but his hero Ali.
Tyson made a return to the ring against Roy Jones Jr last yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“He’s very delusional,” Tyson responded.
“Listen, if he was anywhere near that realm of great as Muhammad Ali, he’d be able to take his kids to school by himself.
“OK, he can’t take his kids to school by himself, and he’s talking about he’s great?
“Greatness is not guarding yourself from the people. It’s being accepted by the people. He can’t take his kids alone to school by himself. He’s a little scared man. He’s a very small, scared man.”
A few years later in 2019, Tyson accepted his credentials as a legend of boxing, but still pointed to other greats.
“Listen, Sugar Ray Robinson had 40 fights. He lost one, then he had a 78-fight winning streak.
“Forty, lost one, then a 78-fight winning streak, goddamn.
“[Julio Cesar Chavez Sr] was 89-0 before he lost.
“Don’t tell me about, ‘You’re the greatest fighter,’ with 50-0.
“You’re great, no doubt about it, but 50-0? Chavez had 90.
“He was fighting like, what? Eight times a year? Against whoever was in the rankings.
“He wasn’t picking, it was, ‘Whoever you want, come on.’”
