Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson once revealed the best boxer that he faced during his storied professional career.

Tyson is often regarded as being one of the most feared heavyweights of all time, producing numerous highlight-reel knockout wins as he recorded 44 stoppages from the 50 wins he picked up over the years.

‘Iron Mike’ exploded onto the scene during the mid-1980s and captured world honours for the first time in 1986 when he knocked out WBC heavyweight champion Trevor Berbick in the second round of their clash at the Las Vegas Hilton.

That saw him become the youngest world heavyweight champion in history, and he achieved undisputed status just days after his 21st birthday with impressive victories over WBA champion James Smith and IBF champion Tony Tucker.

It was an outstanding feat for the young heavyweight sensation, and speaking to The Ring Magazine, Tyson reflected on his 1987 showdown with Tucker as he claims ‘TNT’ was the best boxer that he crossed paths with during his professional career.

“Tucker: He had an excellent jab, moved well and was very tough to hit clean.”

Despite producing just shy of 60 wins as a professional, Tucker is perhaps best known for having the shortest reign of any world heavyweight champion in boxing history at just 64 days.

After surrendering his IBF heavyweight title to Tyson in August 1987, Tucker challenged for a version of the heavyweight championship on several occasions but fell short to Lennox Lewis, Brue Seldon and Herbie Hide prior to the end of his career in 1998.