In the 80s, if you were standing across from Mike Tyson, you could easily visualize the night unfolding: you lying on the canvas, face flat. That’s the outcome many lived and suffered. Larry Holmes tried to resist his destiny and put on a show, but it didn’t end the way he expected. It was in 1988. But 36 years later, he wants to turn back the clock and fight ‘Iron Mike’ again. No, revenge is not on his mind, but something else is.

Tyson, 58, made a return to the professional boxing world when he took on Jake Paul this November 15. However, the former world champion couldn’t trigger heavy punches like his heydays, and his age also affected his performance. It’s the reason why he left the arena with a decision loss. Like millions, Holmes, 75, also watched it live on his screen and had a harsh word for his former rival.

Holmes, at 69-6, appeared in a conversation with Fight Hub TV’s Marcos Villegas and gave his unadulterated take on Paul vs. Tyson. He considered ‘Problem Child’ lucky fighting Tyson, at 50-7, in his twilight years. The ‘Easton Assassin’ said, “He happened to be one of the lucky guys who fought one of the guys that’s going out of out of business. Mike got it no more. We don’t have it. So he can’t get a rematch, because his boy ain’t gonna fight him a rematch. And they get they got $8 million or $9 million.”

But the host was quick to point out that Tyson took home a check of $20 million, whereas Paul, 27, had earned $40 million for the fight. This figure took the heavyweight fighter by surprise, and he soon advocated for another shot at ‘Baddest Man on Planet’ for a better payday and to earn some money in his retirement. Holmes, who has remained out of the ring since 2004, continued, “Now, listen to that. I’m mind-boggling. Listen, I’m 50-something years old. God damn, let me fight Mike like that. How much to come out of retirement? Like pick up $50 million? I gotta do it.”

Interestingly, when Holmes met Tyson in the ring last, he suffered a fourth-round KO loss. But in a recent interview, the Cuthbert native didn’t label him the strongest puncher he had ever faced in his 75-fight-long career. While he gave someone else the hardest puncher tag, he listed Tyson’s one quality that separated him from the rest.

Larry Holmes: Mike Tyson not the hardest puncher

Holmes, who had a ferocious jab and fought the absolute best in the world when he was active, told OLBG, “I fought Mike, and he hit me, and that was the end of it. Earnie Shavers was the hardest I’ve ever faced. But when Tyson hits, he tries to kill you.”

The heavyweight fighter added, “Mike knocked the s–t out of me. He hit me so hard I went ‘wooooo’. And he beat me. It was embarrassing.” For him, Tyson brought that ferocious power, which was unparalleled. He even jokingly remarked that the Brooklyn native should have been “locked up” because of his power.

But will he get a taste of that power again? It’s highly unlikely now. What’s more? The likes of Lennox Lewis have already made a move and might be the first in line. It remains to be seen whom Tyson picks next.

What do you make of these comments by Larry Holmes about Mike Tyson? Do you think the two should run it back now? Let us know in the comments below.