Tyson LOVED Ali. To get a feel for this, go youtube the Tyson v. Larry Holmes fight. Don't hit play just yet, here's the pre-amble.
Larry Holmes fought Ali when Ali was 38, way past his prime. Ali already was showing signs of neurological damage. The fight should have been stopped sooner than it was, which led to America watching Holmes wail on a feeble, clearly damaged Ali. Young Mike Tyson watched that and swore revenge.
When Tyson and Holmes faced off, Tyson refused to shake Holmes' hands. He ferociously shit talked Holmes before the fight.
Now go click "play". That's a VERY angry young man. An angry young man who perhaps is the deadliest fighter ever. An angry, dangerous young man who sees the guy who irreparably hurt his childhood hero. Tyson just fucking DESTROYS him. It isn't boxing, it;s just this massive ugly cage fight. Tyson rips him apart. when it's all done, he says it was for Ali.
He doesn't "love" Ali, it's more like he sees himself as Ali's sworn protector or little brother or something. You really have to see the Holmes vids to get a feel for it
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u/Sustainable_Twat 2d ago
It’s amazing how humble and kiddish Tyson was around Ali.