Mike Tyson has featured a surprising name in Errol Spence, when naming his top five current favourite boxers.
Heavyweight legend Tyson is a huge fan of the sport, and has appeared ringside at some huge fights and events, ever since hanging up his gloves after losing to Kevin McBride in 2005.
He is one of the most popular figures in the sport’s history, with many suggesting he is one of the greatest of all-time, having reigned as undisputed heavyweight champion in his prime.
But now it is not his heyday and a new generation of stars have come through, including the likes of Oleksandr Usyk, Canelo Alvarez and Naoya Inoue.
Although the 58-year-old has snubbed all three, when naming his five favourite boxers to watch right now in an appearance on the Pound-for-Pound podcast.
Tyson named WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis in his top five, who currently holds a record of 30 wins [28 KOs] with no losses.
The talented star has got dynamite power and an entertaining style, which has seen him become one of the sport’s biggest stars.
He named pound-for-pound star Terence Crawford who is also undefeated on his list, despite previous criticism.
Crawford is one of the sport’s brightest talents, and has won world titles in four weight classes putting him up there as a modern era great.
Next he enlisted Alvarez’s rival David Benavidez who reigned as WBC king previously at 168lbs, and is now currently plying his trade at 175lbs.
Joining him as the fourth entry is Shakur Stevenson, a gifted operator who has sometimes been criticised for his lack of fire power.
Stevenson is a huge talent and has won world titles in three weight classes, and could be thrust into some big contests including against Davis.
Lastly, a surprise name Tyson listed was Errol Spence, who hasn’t fought since being beaten by Crawford in their undisputed clash last year.
Spence faces a rebuild to get back to the top of the sport, but Tyson is confident he can do so.
He added on Spence: “I think Spence can come back and still get his title back.
“I think Spence is an underrated fighter.”
Mike Tyson’s top 5 favourite boxers
- David Benavidez
- Gervonta Davis
- Terence Crawford
- Errol Spence
- Shakur Stevenson
It will come as a surprise to many that the likes of Inoue, Usyk and Alvarez have been left off of his list.
Usyk recently became undisputed heavyweight world champion, beating Tyson Fury to take the crown in May.
He is a hugely entertaining and popular fighter in the blue-riband division, but Tyson has failed to acknowledge his former weight class.
Alvarez has equally been a superstar in the current era, but has previously traded words of discontent with Tyson’s opinions on his career.
Tyson himself will make a surprising return to the sport when he takes on Jake Paul on November 15 in a full professional bout.
