Analysis. History. Perspective.

Sports Then and Now



Remembering the Night Boxing Changed Forever: Douglas vs. Tyson, 20 Years Later 9

Posted on February 10, 2010 by Dean Hybl
Tyson-Douglas

Few gave Buster Douglas a chance against Mike Tyson.

It was one of the most stunning and shocking upsets in boxing history. The unbeatable fighter beaten by a classic underdog.

Before  February 11, 1990, there was a growing belief that Mike Tyson (known as the baddest man on the planet) could not be defeated.

Few believed that James “Buster” Douglas, who had lost the IBF title to Tony Tucker in 1987, would be more than another early casualty when he faced the dominant Tyson in Tokyo. He was considered a 42 to 1 longshot by Las Vegas.

Though the fight was close from the beginning, when Tyson knocked down Douglas in the ninth round most experts believed it was over.

However, rather than fading away, Douglas regained his strength and in the 10th round threw the punch that would forever change boxing.

Instead of a decade of Tyson dominance, the 1990s saw a plethora of boxing champions and began its slow fade from relevancy.

The loss also proved the beginning of the end for Tyson. His dominance now broken, Tyson was never again the Baddest Man on the Planet and eventually landed in prison and then obscurity.

Below are highlights from the fight, including the deciding blow by Douglas.

Happy 68th Birthday Muhammad Ali! 4

Posted on January 17, 2010 by Dean Hybl
Muhammad Ali

Happy 68th Birthday to three-time Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali.

In honor of the 68th birthday of one of the great sports personalities of the 20th Century, Sports Then and Now has selected some YouTube moments to remember the remarkable career of the self-proclaimed “Greatest of All-Time.”

Born in Louisville, Kentucky on January 17, 1942 with the name Cassius Marcellus Clay, Muhammad Ali emerged on the boxing scene in 1960 when he won Light Heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Olympics.

He defeated Sonny Liston to win the Heavyweight Title on February 25, 1964 and held it for more than three years with nine title defenses before he was stripped of the title after refusing induction into the U.S. Army.

Ali returned to the ring in 1970 and claimed the WBA and/or WBC Heavyweight Championship two more times during his career. Overall, he went 56-5 in his career, including 22 wins where he either won or regained the WBA and/or WBC Heavyweight title.

Below are some videos featuring the greatness of Muhammad Ali:

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  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Archie Griffin: 2-Time Heisman Winner
      December 11, 2022 | 1:42 pm
      Archie Griffin

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is the only football player ever to capture college football’s top individual award twice.

      As a star running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Archie Griffin claimed the Heisman Trophy during his junior season in 1974 and then was able to repeat the honor the following season.

      Griffin joined the Buckeyes for the 1972 season, which happened to be the first in which freshmen were eligible to play varsity football, and made an immediate impact. After fumbling in his only carry of his first game, Griffin more than made up for it in his second game by rushing for 237 yards against North Carolina. By the end of the season, Griffin had rushed for 867 yards.

      Read more »

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