Mike Tyson, often perceived as a fighter who loathed all his opponents, once revealed there was actually only one boxer he genuinely hated.
"I never really hated anybody. I think I hate Tyrell Biggs," Tyson declared before their 1987 world title fight in Atlantic City.
This rare admission of true animosity would set the stage for one of boxing's most personal and brutal encounters.
"I want to give him a lesson, I want to hurt him real bad," Tyson continued about Biggs before their "Clash for the Crown" bout.
Mike Tyson had a long and successful career in heavyweight boxing
GETTYThe fight carried significant weight as Tyson's first title defence after becoming the first heavyweight to simultaneously hold all three major belts - WBA, WBC, and IBF.
Just two months earlier, Tyson had secured the IBF title by defeating Tony Tucker in a 12-round unanimous decision.
His opponent was no ordinary challenger but the Olympic super heavyweight gold medallist.
The fight itself revealed Tyson's calculated cruelty, as he later admitted to deliberately extending Biggs' suffering.
"In the third round, I knew I had him," the 21-year-old said after the fight. "He was crying when I was hitting him to the body. He was making noises like a woman screaming."
Despite being able to end the fight earlier, Tyson chose to prolong the punishment until the seventh round.
"I could have knocked him out any time after the third, but I wanted to make him pay for what he said."
Biggs appeared confused by Tyson's hatred, claiming: "I didn't say anything that should have angered him... All I said was that I was confident I could beat him."
The animosity originated three years earlier during their amateur days before the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
Mike Tyson and Tyrell Biggs clashed in the ring in 1987
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Tyson had to compete in the heavyweight division while Biggs dominated the super heavyweight class.
At an airport, when a fan wished Tyson luck for his Olympic fight, Biggs reportedly mocked: "What? You mean on his flight, not his fight, he's not fighting in the Olympics."
Tyson later revealed how deeply this slight affected him: "S*** like that stayed with me then. I trained so hard, I was motivated to kick his ass."
The champion admitted to fighting dirty during their encounter.
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Mike Tyson knocked Tyrell Biggs out in the seventh round at the age of 21
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"I don't even like talking about this fight. It was seven rounds of punishment. I elbowed him, low-blowed him, punched him after the round was over."
His intention was clear - to inflict maximum damage as retribution for perceived disrespect.
"He talked so much, he didn't show any class or respect," Tyson declared after the fight. "I wanted to make him pay with his health. Needless to say, he did."
