Heavyweight legend claims one small moment prevented him from defeating Mike Tyson

Originally posted on Bloody Knockout | By Donal Long | Last updated May 6, 2025 12:10 PM ET

Mike Tyson will forever be known as one of the greatest power-punchers that any combat sport has ever seen.

From Tyson’s knockout over Trevor Berbick to become the youngest-ever world champion, to ‘Iron Mike’ starting his career with a stoppage streak, the fighter was not a fan of going the distance.

Taking out fighters such as Michael Spinks and Frank Bruno, even the best of Tyson’s generation could not survive his stopping power.

Another victim of Tyson’s incredible fight-ending ability is one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

Photo by Focus on Sport via Getty Images

Mike Tyson defeated Larry Holmes in 1988 via TKO

After winning the WBC World Heavyweight title in 1986, Tyson would also claim the WBA and IBF belts the following year. As a unified champion, he would collectively defend his three titles once against Tyrell Briggs before being matched with Larry Holmes in 1988.

Meeting in New Jersey, former champion Holmes was 38 years old on fight night, 17 years Tyson’s senior. As well as this, Holmes was coming off back-to-back losses to Spinks.

Despite Holmes looking promising in the opening stages of the bout, he would be knocked down twice in quick succession in round four. Then, towards the end of the round, a third knockdown would lay the former champion flat on his back, ending the bout.

The win extended Tyson’s record to 33-0, while Holmes fell to 48-3.

However, according to Holmes, there was one small moment in the fight that changed its outcome.

Larry Holmes says one small moment prevented him from knocking out Mike Tyson

In an interview with Vlad TV, Holmes reflected on his 1988 loss to Mike Tyson. The former champion explained that a path to victory against Tyson was to manage distance using the lead hand.

“Mike Tyson is coming in low. All you have to do is stick your long arm out there and keep it in his face.”

Then, Holmes spoke on his fight with Tyson specifically. The former champion said, “Mike Tyson didn’t knock me out, he stopped me.”

Holmes attributed the final blow of the fight to his arm getting caught in the rope, meaning he wasn’t able to fire off a punch. “My arm got stuck on the rope. If that didn’t happen, if my arm didn’t get stuck on the rope, what would happen? It would have been goodnight, Irene.”

‘The Easton Assassin’ would fight for 14 more years after the Tyson loss. He retired in 2002, when Holmes fought Butterbean.

This article first appeared on Bloody Knockout and was syndicated with permission.

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