Deontay Wilder: I Hit Harder Than Mike Tyson, George Foreman: Nah

This past weekend, Deontay Wilder scored another spectacular knockout, whilst successfully defending his WBC heavyweight title against Luiz Ortiz. After such a clean knockout, the usual comparisons were made between the different eras of the sport. And who better to ask their opinion than one of the hardest hitters boxing has ever seen, George Foreman.

When asked by TMZ Sports if Wilder punched harder than Mike Tyson, Foreman said that he didn’t think he did, adding that although he likes the idea of comparing flavours of ice cream, he wouldn’t want to test to see who punches harder between ‘The Bronze Bomber’ and ‘Iron’ Mike.

“Nah, nah. You know how you taste vanilla, chocolate ice cream, and you go yum, yum. I sure wouldn’t want to be the tester of those two. Mike Tyson could hit, man.”

Foreman also stated that he wouldn’t class Wilder as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Not yet at least.

“He’s a good fighter and for the first time [in a long time], the action is there [in the heavyweight division], where it ought to be. But he’s not in the picture of the greatest heavyweights yet. [He hasn’t had] enough time, not enough time at all.”

In Foreman’s eyes, that could change though on February 22nd, when Wilder is set to rematch Tyson Fury. ‘Big George’ believes a win over ‘The Gypsy King’ would cement his place as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.

“I think the Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury rematch would be one of the greatest fights of all time. Not just today but of all time. And whoever wins will probably one of the best heavyweights of all time.”

A few hours after speaking to Foreman, TMZ Sports spoke to Wilder. Responding to George’s comments, Deontay suggested that the older generation need to stop comparing the new and old eras. Before stating that he is ‘the hardest hitting puncher in boxing history.

“Mike [Tyson] gave me some praises. Which I wish he would say in public. I don’t know what the deal is with the old generation. The old is the past, let it go. History does repeat itself. And then God brings along others to make their own history.

“They were telling me that Mike said, ‘when I knocked guys out, I had to use combinations’. But with Wilder, he’s like ‘man, that man, he actually can hit’. And that’s the thing about it, these past [fighters], I understand these Foreman and Ali. They just got to let their era go in the past. I am the hardest hitting puncher in boxing history. Period.”

Where would you put Deontay Wilder, compared to the other great heavyweight boxers?


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