Mike Tyson: Deontay Wilder Could Beat Me? I Don't Think So!

Via Boxing Scene - By Boxing Clever

Late last month, WBC champion Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) caused quite a stir when he stated in several interviews that he was fully capable of destroying a prime, 1986 version of Mike Tyson, who at the time seemed unbeatable and captured his first heavyweight title (also WBC) and eventually unified the entire division.

Wilder was speaking with TMZ Sports, during a press conference last week to announce his March 3rd showdown with Luis Ortiz.

"Me vs Tyson in 86, I'd kick the hell outta that guy," said Wilder. "Listen, I've got to keep it real I know people always go back to the old school or look at the new school and there's no school where I'm not no. 1 on earth."

After some critics lashed out at Wilder, he stood firm on his comments - not backing down from his belief of beating a prime Tyson.

"My hand speed, I'm too long, I'm too tall, my athleticism, my foot work, all that gives me an advantage, it plays a big part," Wilder said.

"No disrespect to Mike Tyson, in his era he was the best but this is a new era. No old school fighter should beat a new school fighter. Look at the technology we have.

"Nobody has a natural killer instinct as I do, ain't anybody could ever knock me out. I'm very confident in what I say and I speak what I do."

Now Tyson himself has been approached on the matter by TMZ Sports and basically gave a simple comment to Wilder's recent chatter.

"I don't think so," Tyson told TMZ Sports.

Former undisputed champion Lennox Lewis had previously weighed in on the debate -- taking Tyson over Wilder.

"I like Wilder but he’s never been in there with someone that ferocious who truly wants to break his ribs with every punch. I don’t see it," Lewis said.