Mike Tyson vs. Bruce Seldon: First-Round KO Sparks ‘Fix’ Controversy

On September 7, 1996, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Mike Tyson took on WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon for his title. It was Tyson’s fourth fight after being released from prison. Since his release, he had defeated Peter McNeeley, Buster Mathis Jr. and Frank Bruno all by stoppage. “Iron Mike” got the win against Seldon as expected, but the fight was marred with controversy aimed at his opponent.

Mike Tyson Defeats Bruce Seldon in the First Round

Tyson vs. Seldon Fight Recap

Tyson was the expected aggressor from the opening bell, while Seldon tried to control the distance with his left jab, but “Iron Mike” breached his jab and was able to land some telling blows. At only one minute into the fight, Tyson landed a left hook, which floored Seldon, marking the beginning of the end for the New Jersey native.

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Despite surviving the first knockdown, Seldon was soon hit with a straight right that didn’t appear to land flush. The WBA champ beat the count again but was knocked down almost immediately. He got to his feet once more but was clearly unsteady, forcing the referee Richard Steele to wave off the fight, giving “Iron Mike” the TKO victory.

To hear the Tyson-Seldon nostalgia from the “Fight Freaks Unite Preview Podcast” with Dan Rafael and TJ Rives, click the play button below.

The Controversy

The controversy surrounding the end of the fight was clear almost immediately, with the crowd chanting “Fix,” thinking that Seldon had dived to give “Iron Mike” the easy win so he could move on to face Evander Holyfield.

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Memorably in the post-fight interview, the crowd continued to serenade Seldon with the “Fix” chant, with Seldon denying the claims: “I didn’t train 12 weeks to come in here and take a dive,” said Seldon.

“Iron Mike” went on to be defeated by Holyfield in his next fight before losing the ear-resistible rematch.