He steps into the ring in search of his 51st career victory this Friday (15), at AT&T Stadium, in the United States. After having been heavyweight champion of all major boxing organizations, having broken purse records, knocked out almost all his opponents and having become 'Mike Tyson'. A name that needs no introduction.
O SUPER FIGHTS prepared a special article with 10 memorable moments of the star that help make his name speak for itself.
15 wins in 9 months
The professional development of a boxer who left his mark on generations began in a reformatory. He was admitted at the age of 11 and saw in the institution that aimed to rehabilitate delinquents the opportunity – or the need – to learn boxing. He stood out and left the amateur sport at the age of 18. With an extraordinary muscular build, he weighed over 90 kg and was already a heavyweight. The year was 1985 and, from March to December of that year, young Mike defeated an incredible 15 opponents. All of them by fast means. A knockout expert was born.
Turn around in 30
The fame of a young black man from New York spread quickly throughout the country. Big fights were scheduled for the promising fighter. One of them marked the career of the aspiring belt contender forever. Having just turned 20, Tyson achieved the fastest knockout of his career. His opponent? The son of former champion Joe Frazier. On July 26, 1986, Mike sent Marvis Frazier to the canvas after just 30 seconds of fighting.
One year, one belt
A defining moment to be mentioned whenever the topic is Mike Tyson is the fact that he was the youngest champion of boxing's heaviest division. He hadn't even been a professional fighter for a year and there was the former reformed delinquent fighting for the World Boxing Council (WBC) belt.
Mike Tyson challenged Trevor Berbick and the duel took place four months after the record-breaking knockout. But this fight didn't take long either. With a left hook, the challenger knocked out his opponent in the second round.
Tyson becomes a craze after unification
Mike Tysom unified three heavyweight belts in 1987. Photo: Getty Images
From promising youngster to star was just a short leap. Or a few blows, whichever you prefer. Two years after turning professional, in 1987, Tyson defended his belt against James Smith. The victory, achieved in March, not only guaranteed that he would keep the belt but also added the World Boxing Association (WBA) title to the young man's resume.
On August 1st, another belt, ladies and gentlemen! By defeating Tony Tucker, he absorbs the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title. On this day, Mike Tyson became the first man on the planet to hold three heavyweight belts. The world was talking about 'Tyson-Mania'. He devoured everything.
Sport lives Mike Tyson vs Michael Spinks
Mike Tyson beats Michael Spinks in 91 seconds. Photo: AP Photo/Richard Drew
Busy backstage, incredible spectacle. There are many versions of what happened in the locker rooms of Convention Hall, in Atlantic City, before the proclaimed “fight of the century”. The fact is that Michael Spinks’ manager went to meet Mike Tyson. Some say it was to demand that the gloves be replaced because of possible cheating. Others say that Butch Lewis just wanted to take advantage of his opponent's bad personal moment and play a psychological game.
At the time, Tyson was in a turbulent relationship with actress Robin Givens and was in the process of changing managers. He left Bell Cayton to join hands with the folkloric Don King.
The presence of Lewis – who watched Iron Man punch the wall bare-handed with brutal force – was disturbing. Mike Tyson. He delayed getting into the ring and made his trainer hear a 'You know! I'm going to hurt this guy', referring to his manager, Michael Spinks. Well... Tyson knocked him out in just 91 seconds. The rest is history.
The first defeat
Mike Tayson is defeated by Buster Douglas in 1990. Photo: Sean Dempsey – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
An iron man is forged under heat and pressure. Of victories and especially defeats, a rare word in this athlete's career. Mike Tyson Tyson only got to know the bitter taste of being beaten after five years of his career. In early 1990, Tyson faced the American Buster Douglas in Tokyo, after an overwhelming 37 consecutive victories. The clear favorite of the night – with purses of 42 to 1 – was defeated in the tenth round by knockout.
The belt after the handcuffs
Mike Tyson wins the belt after defeating Frank Bruno. Photo: Mike Nelson/AFP
Defeats in life were more intimate to the athlete than defeats in the ring. After shocking the world by losing in Japan, Mike Tyson He 'went back a few steps' and tried to pave the way back to title contention. He won four fights in a row and lost a moral and legal battle. He was arrested in July 1991, convicted of raping 18-year-old Desiree Washington.
He only put on gloves in public again four years later. He beat Peter McNeeley and Buster Mathis Jr.. The following year, in 1996, he won the World Boxing Council belt by beating Frank Bruno.
Hunger for revenge
Mike Tyson bites Holyfield's ear in the ring in 1997
The episode of the fight against Evander Holyfield, in 1997, marked Tyson's career. After being knocked out eight months earlier, Mike had the rematch scheduled for June 28. Estimates indicate that US$ 100 million were generated by the rematch. But in the ring, an attitude of low value. Tyson was disqualified after biting both of his opponent's ears, leaving a piece of one of them on the canvas.
The cartel of a myth
Mike Tyson fighting Kevin McBride in 2005. Photo: Reproduction Instagram/neilleiferphotography
There are realities that become symbolic. Perhaps that's why we use the term "fantastic" so much. Analyzing the numbers Mike Tyson, pure and simple, would be enough to know who he became in the boxing world. Although he left the ring with a loss (to Irishman Kevin McBride), 'Iron Mike' built a glorious record. He has six losses compared to 50 wins. 44 of those were by knockout. But the numbers are out in the open. Mike didn't leave the ring in 2005 for good.
Two decades later…
Mike Tyson faces Jake Paul. Photo: Disclosure / Getty Images
Why not list this Friday's (15) achievement as a landmark moment in your career? Mike TysonAt 58, he'll be back in a boxing match. Against an opponent just 27 years old. Eight rounds. Two minutes each. And proof that a legend is made of much more than numbers.
Read More about: Cus D'Amato, Evander holyfield, IBF, Iron Mike, Jake Paul, Kevin mcbride, Legend, Marvis Frazier, Mike Tyson, Tony Tucker, Tyson, WBA, WBC
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