Mike Tyson fighting in an exhibition bout against Sanders

The clip shows Tyson, looking understandably slower and less fit than during his glory years, taking on Corey Sanders in a four-round exhibition fight.

It occurred during Tyson’s 2006 World Tour, organised to help relieve some of the former world champion’s well-documented money troubles. He squandered most of his reported $300m (£222m) career earnings, leaving him bankrupted and heavily indebted to creditors.

The exhibition bout against Sanders, a former training partner, was held at a 6,000 seater arena and broadcast to fans on pay-per-view after Iron Mike had been out of the ring for over a year.

While clearly past his best, viewers could see that Tyson was taking it easy on Sanders in order to put on a show for the fans. But during one of the early rounds, he instinctively uncorked one of his trademark right hands, catching Sanders, wearing a headguard, flush on the chin.

The blow seemed to knock Sanders off-balance and he looked destined to hit the canvas until Tyson waded forwards to hold him up on his feet.The clip has been seen by more than 100,000 people since it was reposted online earlier this week.

“Bring him out of retirement. He could still give today's heavyweight clowns a run for their,” said one viewer. Another wrote: “Most people think boxing is easy but you can't teach it if you haven't got it.

“Look at the foot movement as Sanders pushes out a lazy left jab, Tyson slips it and steps in with the right hand. Absolute class.”