Tyson, Ali, Lewis and Co overcame challenges
Friday 29 May 2015 10:13, UK
Anthony Joshua faces Kevin Johnson, by far his most credible opponent to date, this weekend. So what happened when other heavyweight prospects faced a step up in competition early in their careers?
Mike Tyson
Aged just 20, and six months before he would become the youngest heavyweight champion ever, the wrecking ball New Yorker took on James ‘Quick’ Tillis.
Tyson had racked up 20 destructive knockouts under Cus D’Amato’s stewardship, but former world title challenger Tillis appeared to be, on paper, a more strenuous test than the broken bodies left behind.
Angelo Dundee-trained Tillis had been in with Carl Williams and Tyrell Biggs in the previous two years and, although he halted Tyson’s KO streak, he lost a unanimous decision. Tyson would fight eight more times from May onwards in 1986 culminating with capturing Trevor Berbick’s WBC belt.
Lennox Lewis
Twelve fights into his pro career, with an Olympic gold already in tow, the unbeaten 25-year-old Lewis met former world champion Ossie Ocasio in London.
The Puerto Rican had been outpointed in his last four fights but, at 35, still represented a bigger threat to the Canadian-raised puncher, who was forced to a decision for the first time in the paid ranks.
The ex-cruiserweight champion Ocasio had fought Larry Holmes and Evander Holyfield in his veteran career but Lewis outclassed him over eight rounds before winning the European title later in 1990.
Muhammad Ali
The 21-year-old known then as Cassius Clay touched down in England expected to make Henry Cooper his 19th victim. Aside from that iconic ‘Enry’s ‘Ammer that floored him badly and almost changed boxing history forever, the undefeated Clay was travelling abroad into enemy territory for the first time in his fledgling career.
He had felt the canvas before (Sonny Banks floored Clay a year earlier although never truly hurt him) but the legend first overcame adversity at Wembley in 1963.
Clay, aided by his trainer Angelo Dundee and his notoriously ripped glove, recovered after Cooper’s punch to register a fifth-round TKO before returning to the States for a double-header against Sonny Liston.
Wladimir Klitschko
The current IBF heavyweight champion had already been shockingly stopped by Ross Puritty but his fight with Axel Schulz, a multi-time world title challenger, was billed as a true character test for the rising prospect from Ukraine.
Aged 23, far from the polished machine recognisable today and still haunted by his surprise defeat to Puritty, Klitschko should have had his hands full against a German who had been in against George Foreman, Frans Botha and Mike Tyson’s future conqueror Kevin McBride.
But Klitschko thrashed Schulz for eight rounds in their 1999 European title match-up before the referee saved any further punishment.
David Price
Not all heavyweight prodigies have overcome their first career hurdle in the way that Joshua hopes to do against Johnson. Price, whose rebuilding job continues on June 26 live on Sky Sports, represents the warning sign of how delicate a career can be after he was twice halted at the peak of his powers by Tony Thompson.
In 2013, the Liverpool banger had beaten 15 consecutive foes until welcoming the American Thompson (who had twice boxed Wladimir Klitschko) to his hometown and having his career plundered into question.
Price was shockingly stopped in the second round of their first fight, and despite registering an early knockdown in the rematch, was blasted out in five rounds at the second attempt.
Watch Joshua v Johnson live and exclusive as part of Brook v Gavin, on Sky Sports Box Office on May 30, with Mitchell and Selby also on. Book via your phone or online now. If you want to record the event, book via your Sky remote.
