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Few fighters, if any, could realistically say they were paired with Mike Tyson from an athletic point of view. At its best, Iron Mike thundered thunderous blows that knocked adult men to their knees and knocked many of them out of the battle. Tyson’s opponents simply couldn’t match his crazy combination of strength, speed, and explosive power. But a proposed opponent can argue that his athleticism is on par with the 53-year-old boxing legend. But for rugby star Sonny Bill Williams, his athletic ability would not be enough to defeat Mike Tyson in the ring.
Mike Tyson’s legendary boxing career
While the younger generations may not have witnessed his boxing exploits, anyone who has been around to see Mike Tyson at his best can attest to his otherworldly dominance. The baddest man on the planet delivered 44 knockouts in 56 fights, and lost just six times. The heavyweight champion won his first 19 fights by knockout, an achievement unmatched by anyone, let alone a fighter who started his career as a teenager.
Of course, Tyson gained fame as one of the most powerful punchers in the sport. Despite a controversial lifestyle outside the ring, he established a reputation as one of the fiercest competitors in professional sports. His right hand ended the fights faster than they started, including a 91 second knockout against Michael Spinks who ended his boxing career. Undoubtedly, Mike Tyson at his best was an intimidating force that instilled fear in other elite athletes even before they entered the ring.
Sonny Bill Williams is a living legend in the rugby community
While Mike Tyson is a living boxing legend, his proposed opponent, Sonny Bill Williams, is not far behind. In fact, he is a two-sport athlete at the championship level. Regarded as one of the fittest and most talented rugby players in the world, Williams has forged a long career on the field as a tough and brittle center insider.
Tipping the scales at 6 feet 4 inches, 238 pounds with bulging biceps and fat quadruples, the 34-year-old has spent more than a decade playing professional rugby. Born in Auckland, Sonny Bill Williams has won 12 games with the New Zealand All Blacks, the world’s most dominant rugby team. He has also gained notoriety for his ability to play both the rugby league and the rugby union, which have different rules and require very different skill sets and fitness levels. But in addition to his skill on the field, SBW has also entered the boxing ring on more than a few occasions.
The New Zealand All Blacks star is also a championship fighter
A true elite athlete, Sonny Bill Williams expressed his passion for boxing in a professional career. He made his ring debut in 2009 and defeated Garry Gurr with a technical knockout in the second round. Fighting as a heavyweight, the rugby star won all seven professional fights, including three by knockout.
Williams’ last fight happened five years ago when he faced Chauncy Welliver in Sydney. He won by unanimous decision on points against the American. Impressively, he won the 2015 Rugby World Cup as a key member of the All Blacks just eight months later.
Mike Tyson vs. Sonny Bill Williams would end badly for monstrously gifted rugby star
At first glance, it could be confusing why a 34-year-old rugby star and a 53-year-old Mike Tyson are even being mentioned in the same breath. But based on the training video he posted, it looks like Iron Mike is still in fight form. That naturally led to speculation about the former heavyweight champion’s return. And that inspired Australian boxing promoter Brian Amatruda to offer Mike Tyson $ 1 million to fight for a charitable cause, with Sonny Bill Williams mentioned as one of his possible opponents.
While the rugby star has certainly earned his place in the boxing ring, let’s say his level of competition did not include anyone with a resume like Mike Tyson. Williams may have a 20-year-old lead, but he doesn’t have the technical ability of his proposed competitor. Physical fitness could be a major issue, and SBW’s legendary training methods have allowed him to create championship races in rugby and boxing. But at the end of the day, Mike Tyson’s power and experience would allow him to score another victory on his sprawling resume if he really took on the $ 1 million challenge to fight Sonny Bill Williams.
