In case you thought the period of the “freakshow struggle” was over, assume once more. Mike Tyson, boxing’s most infamous heavyweight, has simply been provided a comeback bout by Kazakhstan’s Alash Pleasure League – this time towards Fedor Emelianenko, the person many name the best MMA fighter to by no means set foot in MMA.
Suppose Muhammad Ali vs. Antonio Inoki, or Kimbo Slice vs. Dada 5000 – matchups which are much less about rankings and extra about seeing what occurs if you toss two legends (or two oddballs) into the ring and let the chips fall the place they might.
Fedor vs. Mike Tyson
Now, let’s meet the gamers. “Iron” Mike Tyson hardly wants an introduction, however right here’s the refresher: youngest heavyweight champion in historical past, two-time world champion, and proprietor of 44 knockouts in a 50-win profession. Tyson’s rise was meteoric, he unified the heavyweight division by age 21 and have become a popular culture icon, equal elements menace and marvel. His profession had its share of controversy and comebacks, however his energy and persona have made him a legend out and in of the ring.
Throughout the aisle is Fedor Emelianenko, referred to as “The Final Emperor.” Fedor is MMA royalty, a Russian heavyweight who terrorized the PRIDE circuit in Japan through the 2000s, going unbeaten for almost a decade and racking up wins over a who’s who of the game: Nogueira, Cro Cop, Coleman, and extra. Fedor’s model was all enterprise – stoic, technical, and devastating. He completed his profession with a document of 40 wins, 7 losses, and 1 no contest, and is extensively thought of the perfect heavyweight ever in MMA.
The proposed Tyson-Emelianenko conflict matches squarely into the “freakshow” custom: an ageing boxing icon versus an MMA legend, each nicely previous their prime, assembly beneath unclear guidelines for the leisure of the lots. The APL hasn’t stated whether or not this will probably be a boxing match or one thing extra unique, however the secure cash is on boxing. Fedor himself has stated he’s finished with MMA however wish to attempt his hand on the candy science.
Because the fight sports activities world braces for one more spherical of spectacle over sport, one factor’s for positive: the freakshow struggle is alive and nicely, and it’s nonetheless packing them in. Mike Tyson vs. Fedor could not settle any debates about the perfect of all time, however it’ll virtually definitely reply the query: what occurs if you put two legends in a hoop and let the circus start?
