Sports Then and Now

Mike Tyson won 44 matches by knockout during his career.

It seems like just yesterday when “Iron Mike” Tyson was the young up-and-coming boxer that many expected to be the greatest slugger in boxing history. Believe it or not, that was nearly 30 years ago and today Tyson turns 50.

Today, Tyson is known more for his movie and television cameos, crazy tattoos and occasional crazy behavior. Yet 30 years ago, he was known for his devastating power and a knockout punch that put fear in even the best boxers in the world.

In July of 1986, Tyson needed only 30 seconds to knockout Marvis Frazier, the son of former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. Later that year he defeated Trevor Berbick to claim the heavyweight crown. He easily won his first nine title defenses, including wins over renowned boxers such as Larry Holmes, Tyrell Biggs and Michael Spinks.

His career and life started to unravel after his shocking loss to unknown Buster Douglas in early 1990. His nasty divorce from Robin Givens was a national story and he served time in jail for rape.

Perhaps his most lasting memory is of biting the ear of Evander Holyfield during their second fight in 1997. He fought 10 more times during his career, but was just 5-3-2 in those matches to finish his career with a 50-6-2 record and 44 wins by knockout.

Below are links to some of Tyson’s greatest boxing highlights.

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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.