# Who is the greatest opponent Mike Tyson ever faced?

> Some of these men beat him, some lasted barely a minute, and one arrived from YouTube decades later. Decide which of them truly tested Iron Mike.

*By YPB Team · Published November 1, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-greatest-opponent-mike-tyson-ever-faced*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Evander Holyfield** — score 1000/1000
   Four-time heavyweight champion who beat Tyson twice, stopping him in 1996 and winning the infamous 1997 'Bite Fight' rematch.
2. **Lennox Lewis** — score 719/1000
   Undisputed heavyweight champion who knocked Tyson out in the eighth round in Memphis in 2002.
3. **Roy Jones Jr.** — score 513/1000
   Four-division world champion who boxed Tyson to a split draw in their 2020 exhibition comeback.
4. **Jake Paul** — score 434/1000
   YouTuber-turned-boxer who beat a 58-year-old Tyson on points in their record-setting 2024 Netflix fight.
5. **Larry Holmes** — score 434/1000
   Former long-reigning heavyweight champion whom Tyson stopped in four rounds in 1988; Tyson called him the smartest fighter he faced.
6. **Buster Douglas** — score 342/1000
   The 42-to-1 underdog who knocked Tyson out in Tokyo in 1990 in one of the biggest upsets in sports history.
7. **Frank Bruno** — score 342/1000
   British heavyweight who fought Tyson twice, rocking him in 1989 before losing the WBC title to him in 1996.
8. **Andrew Golota** — score 342/1000
   Polish heavyweight who quit after two rounds against Tyson in 2000, a result later ruled a no contest.
9. **Michael Spinks** — score 0/1000
   Unbeaten lineal heavyweight champion whom Tyson knocked out in 91 seconds in 1988, often called his best performance.

Tags: sports, boxing, boxers, heavyweight, mike tyson