Mike Tyson once pointed to Pinklon Thomas as one of the toughest men he had faced.
“I hit him with 15 straight punches, and he was still standing there.”
Tyson stopped Thomas in 1987, but the durability shown that night clearly stayed with him.
George Foreman named Ron Lyle and Sonny Liston among the most difficult men he had to deal with. Foreman’s war with Lyle in 1976 remains one of the division’s most violent fights.
“Lyle put me down twice. Every punch hurt.”
Foreman also admitted that he respected Joe Frazier and knew the danger he brought.
“I was afraid of Joe Frazier and knew if I didn’t get him out of there, he would get me out of there.”
Larry Holmes listed several names when discussing tough opponents, including Gerry Cooney, Ken Norton, Ali and Earnie Shavers.
Holmes said Norton’s defense was difficult to solve, while Shavers’ power forced complete concentration.
“Shavers caught me in the seventh round, and when I got up, I thought I would stick him from that point on. I knew if I made one mistake, it was all over.”
He also said Cooney’s left hook meant you could never stand still in front of him.
Joe Frazier named Foreman as the man who gave him the biggest physical problems.
“I’ve faced punchers before, but with Foreman I couldn’t fool him with the angles I used against other opponents. My pressure wasn’t working.”
Frazier also reflected on his rivalry with Ali.
“I hit him once. He hit me twice.”
Muhammad Ali said both Liston and Frazier created unique problems. Liston’s reach and jab were difficult to read, while Frazier’s head movement and left hook made every exchange risky.
These comments are a reminder that even the greatest heavyweights have been measured by the opponents who pushed them closest to defeat.
