Mike Tyson Becomes the Youngest Heavyweight Champion On This Day in 1986
On this day in 1986, Mike Tyson became boxing’s youngest heavyweight champion with a second round technical knockout against Trevor Berbick.
With the victory, Tyson wrested the WBC title from Berbick. The bout took place at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. Those in the United States could catch the action live on HBO. In the United Kingdom, it was broadcast on ITV.
On the 38th anniversary of this clash, Big Fight Weekend goes down memory lane to relive Tyson’s dominance.
Mike Tyson Becomes Youngest Heavyweight Champion On This Day
Tyson vs. Berbick Recap
Tyson began the fight aggressively, immediately going after his opponent. His peek-a-boo style forced Berbick to engage as well. The reigning champion had a bit of early success, landing a right hook and a right to the body that saw Tyson hold for some time. After that, however, it was one-way traffic. “Iron Mike” landed several hard shots to the head for the remainder of the round. Berbick nearly went to the canvas, but stayed on his feet to make it out of round one.
Read More: Five Most Memorable Mike Tyson Knockouts
Tyson landed an overhand right seconds into round two. It sent Berbick flailing backwards, allowing “Iron Mike” to land hooks that sent the WBC champion to the canvas. Berbick immediately got up but was very clearly on shaky legs.
Read More: Reliving Mike Tyson’s 37-Second Knockout of Robert Colay on October 25, 1985
He would hold on in an attempt to avoid further damage, but it did little to prevent the hard shots from Tyson. A massive left hook sent Berbick down a second time. Though he tried to get up, his flailing around the ring caused referee Mills Lane to wave off the fight.
To hear the latest “Big Fight Weekend/Fight Freaks Unite Recap Podcast” with Dan Rafael and TJ Rives, including the Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick nostalgia, click the play button below.
Surpassing Floyd Patterson
By defeating Berbick, Tyson became a heavyweight champion at just 20. Previously, Floyd Patterson was the youngest, defeating Archie Moore in 1956 at age 21. To this day, Tyson remains boxing’s youngest heavyweight champion. It is a record that will be difficult to break.
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.
