Former Mike Tyson opponent would love to fight star again despite 38-second defeat
Former heavyweight boxing champion Lou Savarese would still "love" to face Mike Tyson in the ring 22-years after he was knocked down by the legend with the very first punch of their fight
Boxing legend Lou Savarese has revealed he would “love to fight” Mike Tyson again despite losing their first clash in 38 seconds.
The retired former heavyweight, 56, went head-to-head with the fearsome Tyson in Hampden Park, Glasgow back in 2000, where he was dropped to the canvas by the very first punch landed.
Savarese managed to get up but faced a barrage of punches from Tyson, who continued to attack despite the referee’s intervention, even dropping the official to the floor.
Yet despite clearly being outmatched and losing by technical knockout in Tyson’s second fastest ever victory, Savarese claimed a rematch still interests him.
The boxing icon told Boxing News 24/7: “He [Tyson] was a great finisher and he probably could’ve finished me, but I wish they hadn’t stopped the fight.
“But it was revealed how he was doing cocaine two hours before the fight. I’d love to fight him again but we’re both getting too old.”
He added: “I remember it vividly. At the time, we thought they stopped the fight because he hit the referee. But listen, he seems to be a lot more mellow now. I spent an hour with him and he’s a great guy.”
Savarese faced a whole host of legendary boxers in what is widely known as the golden era of the sport.
His first ever defeat came against two-time world heavyweight champion George Foreman in 1997 following a controversial split decision.
Savarese managed to clinch a heavyweight title a year later, but admitted he still believes he should have been crowned Lineal World Heavyweight champion on the night.
He said: “You know, a lot of people say I won. I thought I won. But Foreman’s a huge name, a mega-star, so you have to beat him decisively.
“But yeah, I thought I won, but everything happens for a reason.”
Speaking on Foreman’s incredible power, Savarese said: “Well, of course when I fought him he was a little bit older. But as they say, the last thing you lose is your power, and he was amazing, especially at that age.
“When you look back in retrospect, that was probably the greatest comeback in boxing history, or in sports history – it was one of them anyway.
“Yeah, it was a great fight and even in losing, I won. Everyone thought I’d get knocked out.”
