Why did Mike Tyson refuse to fight George Foreman?

Two of boxing’s most formidable heavyweights –American former professional boxer Mike Tyson, known as “Iron Mike” and another US boxer George Foreman– never faced each other in the ring.

According to Bobby Goodman, Don King’s former matchmaker, Tyson was scared of fighting George Foreman.

This absence is held responsible mostly for mutual apprehension and timing issues.

Foreman in a 2025 interview frankly admitted his reluctance to fight Tyson, mentioning him as a “nightmare”. He also expressed genuine fear about facing him, according to reports from ringside24.com

On the other hand, Tyson also expressed reservations about fighting Foreman. Boxing promoter Bobby Goodman discovered that Tyson was apprehensive about facing George Foreman, one of the most influential and recognizable boxers of all time.

Besides, the timing of their careers played another role in not facing each other.

Foreman made a comeback in 1987 at age 38 after he retired in 1977, while Mike Tyson, also known as Iron Mike was dominating the heavyweight division in his early 20s.

Any matchup never materialized despite overlapping periods of activity.

The issue came to media again when George Foreman died on Friday at the age of 76, his family announced on his social media account.

Foreman, also a businessman, minister and author, won an Olympic gold medal in 1968. He was a two-time heavyweight champion and Hall of Fame boxer.

Perhaps, George Foreman was best known for the historic Rumble with Muhammad Ali in 1974 in Zaire.

Foreman, who made history yet again later in his career, fought five more times after he lost the heavyweight championship to Muhammad Ali at the age of 25.

He shockingly announced his retirement after that fifth fight at 28 and started a career as an ordained minister in his native Texas.