Former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson views Anthony Joshua as the top dog at the weight class.
Tyson, who retired in 2005, is very impressed with Joshua after watching some of his recent performances - including last week's seventh round knockout victory over Alexander Povetkin at Wembley Stadium in London.
Tyson became the youngest world heavyweight champion in 1986 at the age of 20 and was the undisputed champion until a stunning loss to Buster Douglas in Tokyo in 1990.
He served three years of a six-year jail sentence after being convicted of rape in 1992 and returned to the ring in 1995. He then added to his notoriety when he bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield’s ear in a bout two years later.
The 28-year-old Joshua holds the WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts and has been in talks about a fight with WBC title holder Deontay Wilder which would give him a shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion.
Wilder will give Joshua a serious run for that title - should he defeat Tyson Fury, who is the lineal champion, when they collide on December 1 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
At one time Mike Tyson tabbed Fury as the top heavyweight in the division - but he feels the unfortunate two years of inactivity has hurt Fury's overall standing in the weight class. A victory over Wilder could quickly change that opinion.
“I think Joshua right now [is the top heavyweight],” said Tyson.
“Tyson Fury hasn’t fought in a while. I don’t think he has had enough fights yet. He should have won more fights.”
Tyson also explained that he believes boxers who are raised in very humble surroundings are usually the most successful.
“I’m a slumdog. I grew up in the slum,” said Tyson, who was raised in Brooklyn, New York. “But I had that ambition and I wanted to get out of the slum and that’s why I’m here talking to you guys now. There’s nothing wrong with the slums. I think the poorer you are, the better boxer you are.”
