Mike Tyson to Join List of Heavyweight Legends Who Have Fought Beyond Their Prime

Coming up on Friday night in Arlington, TX, “Iron Mike” Tyson will return to the ring for his first official sanctioned bout in nearly 20 years at the age of 58. While no one can dispute Tyson’s accomplishments, including in 1986, being the youngest heavyweight champion ever at just 20 years old, there is plenty of questioning him and the wisdom behind accepting a bout with a 27-year-old opponent in Jake Paul.

No matter the merit, or not, of this bout, it’s still fascinating, just as it is to look back at some older heavyweight champions, who continued to fight on past their prime.

Mike Tyson to Join Elite List of Heavyweights Who Have Fought Beyond Their Peak

Muhammad Ali Fought On

We start with “The Greatest,” as Muhammad Ali defeated Leon Spinks on September 15, 1978, to regain the WBC heavyweight championship, marking one of the most remarkable comebacks in boxing history. The fight took place at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans and broke the all-time indoor attendance record, too. And, it was after Ali had initially lost the title to Spinks in February of that year. That night in early ’78 saw the relatively untested Spinks shocked the world with a split-decision victory over the 36-year-old Ali, who was fighting in what many considered the twilight of his career.

Read More: Examining Muhammad Ali losses

The rematch saw a better-prepared Ali defeat Spinks in a 15-round battle, where Ali’s superior experience, ring intelligence, and stamina helped him regain the title. Ali’s win over Spinks in 1978 was the last great moment of his career, as he did fight on losing two years later (at 38) to Larry Holmes and then, 14 months later in December of 1981 to Trevor Berbick – still fighting at almost 40 years old.

Jersey Joe Became the Original Oldest Champ

Going back in time to the 1950s, is where legend  “Jersey Joe” Walcott became the oldest heavyweight champion ever, at that time, with his booming uppercut KO of Ezzard Charles. Walcott was 37 that night in Pittsburgh, PA and beat Charles in title defence the following year at 38. Walcott fought and was kayoed twice by hall of famer Rocky Marciano in 1952 and again, in his final fight ever in 1953 at nearly 40 years old.

Now, the distinction of being the oldest heavyweight champion ever still belongs to George Foreman, who reclaimed the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles at the astounding age of 45. In 1994, Foreman knocked out Michael Moorerwith one big punch in the 10th round in Las Vegas, becoming the oldest fighter, by far, to ever win the heavyweight championship.

Interestingly, Foreman’s victory came almost 20 years after he had lost famously to Ali in the “Rumble in the Jungle” in Africa in 1974. He would continue to fight until almost 49 years old in 1997.

We also give a nod to the hall of famer Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield, who not only upset Tyson by TKO in Vegas to win the heavyweight crown in 1996 at age 34 but later won a portion of the title again, at 38 by beating John Ruiz by decision. Holyfield fought well into his 40s also, losing to Chris Byrd by decision for another portion of the title in December of 2002. Sadly, Holyfield fought on with his last official bout being a TKO win over Brian Nielsen in 2011 at 49 years of age.

The Klitschko Brothers Were Vintage Into Their Late 30s Also

The Klitschko brothers not only hold the distinction of both being long-reigning heavyweight champs but also fought title fights in their 40s earlier in this century. Vitali Klitschko became the WBC heavyweight titlist at age 33 stopping Corrie Sanders in Los Angeles in 2004 and held a portion of the belts until 2005, then regained it in 2008 beating Samuel Peter in Germany and held it five more years until his retirement in 2013 at age 42.

Read More: Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul: Eddie Hearn Critiques Upcoming Netflix Clash

Likewise, Wladimir held multiple heavyweight titles, including the WBA, IBF, WBO, and IBO titles. He was a dominant force in the heavyweight division beginning with beating Chris Byrd in Germany in 2006 as a 30-year-old and reigned nine more years until 2015. He had one final huge title bout in 2017 losing by TKO to Anthony Joshua in a thrilling fight at London’s Wembley Stadium setting an outdoor attendance record in the U.K. Wladimir was 41 years old that night.

So clearly, there is a roll call of great heavyweight champs that have fought on past their primes, and now, we wait to see if Tyson, in a modified eight-round bout, will look anything like what remember of him 20 years ago.