Counting Down The Top 10 ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson Fights
Mike Tyson is one of the most iconic and exciting boxers in history. He has had many memorable fights throughout his career. Here are the top 10 Mike Tyson fights.
Top 10 Fights That Made Mike Tyson
Trevor Berbick (1986)
Mike Tyson vs Trevor Berbick was a highly anticipated heavyweight boxing match that took place on November 22, 1986, at the Las Vegas Hilton. Berbick was the reigning WBC heavyweight champion, and Tyson was challenging him for the title. Tyson was known for his devastating punching power and had won all his previous fights by knockout.
The fight lasted only two rounds, as Tyson dominated Berbick from the start with his aggressive style, powerful punches, and lightning-fast footwork. Berbick tried to keep Tyson at bay with his jab, but it was no match for Tyson’s speed and strength. In the second round, Tyson landed a crushing right hook that sent Berbick to the canvas. Berbick got back up, but Tyson quickly finished him off with a series of punches, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
With this victory, Tyson became the youngest ever heavyweight champion at the age of just 20 years old. The fight will always be remembered as one of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history.
Larry Holmes (1988)
The boxing match between Mike Tyson and Larry Holmes took place on January 22, 1988, at the Convention Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The fight was highly anticipated as it was a matchup between two heavyweight champions.
Holmes was a former heavyweight champion and had a record of 48 wins, 3 losses, and 34 knockouts. Tyson, on the other hand, was the reigning WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion, with a record of 32 wins, 0 losses, and 28 knockouts.
This was an interesting fight poster for Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes.
The fight lasted only four rounds, with Tyson dominating from the start. He landed a series of powerful punches to Holmes’ head and body, causing him to stagger and fall to the canvas in the fourth round. The referee stopped the fight, giving Tyson the victory by technical knockout.
The victory over Holmes cemented Tyson’s status as the dominant heavyweight of his era. It was a remarkable performance by Tyson, who showed his speed, power, and ferocity in the ring.
Michael Spinks (1988)
The fight between Mike Tyson and Michael Spinks took place on June 27, 1988, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It was a highly anticipated matchup between two undefeated heavyweight champions.
Spinks, the reigning IBF heavyweight champion, had a record of 31 wins, 0 losses, and 21 knockouts. Tyson, the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion, had a record of 34 wins, 0 losses, and 30 knockouts.
The fight lasted only 91 seconds, with Tyson delivering a devastating knockout blow in the first round. Tyson came out aggressively, landing a series of powerful punches to Spinks’ head and body. Spinks tried to fight back, but he was no match for Tyson’s speed and power. Tyson landed a crushing right hand that sent Spinks crashing to the canvas. The referee stopped the fight, giving Tyson the victory by technical knockout.
The victory over Spinks was another impressive performance by Tyson and solidified his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. The fight remains one of the most memorable and dominant performances in boxing history.
Frank Bruno (1989)
The fight between Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno took place on February 25, 1989, at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was the second time the two fighters had met, with Tyson having won their first encounter by technical knockout in the fifth round.
Bruno, the former European heavyweight champion, was looking for revenge and came out aggressively in the first round. However, Tyson quickly took control of the fight, landing a series of powerful punches that had Bruno on the ropes.
In the fifth round, Tyson landed a massive right hand that sent Bruno to the canvas. Although Bruno managed to get back to his feet, Tyson continued to land a barrage of punches, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
The victory over Bruno was another dominant performance by Tyson, who showed his speed, power, and ferocity in the ring. It was Tyson’s 36th win, and it solidified his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Buster Douglas (1990)
The fight between Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas took place on February 11, 1990, at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. Tyson was the reigning WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight champion, and Douglas was considered a heavy underdog.
The fight started off as expected, with Tyson landing a series of powerful punches that had Douglas in trouble. However, in the eighth round, Douglas landed a powerful uppercut that stunned Tyson and sent him to the canvas. Tyson managed to get back to his feet, but he was clearly disoriented.
Douglas took advantage of Tyson’s weakened state, landing a series of punches that had Tyson on the ropes. The referee stopped the fight, giving Douglas the victory by technical knockout. After the bout Douglas was asked how he won the fight and he said: “Because of my mother … God bless her heart.”
The victory over Tyson was a shock to the boxing world and remains one of the biggest upsets in sports history. It was a remarkable performance by Douglas, who showed his resilience and determination in the ring. For Tyson, it was a devastating loss that marked the beginning of the end of his career as a dominant heavyweight champion.
Donovan Ruddock (1991)
The first fight between Mike Tyson and Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock took place on March 18, 1991, at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The two fighters were considered the top contenders in the heavyweight division at the time.
The fight was a brutal and intense battle, with both fighters trading powerful punches throughout the 12 rounds. Ruddock landed several big shots that had Tyson in trouble, but Tyson managed to stay on his feet and fight back with his own devastating punches.
In the end, Tyson was declared the winner by unanimous decision. However, the fight was controversial, with many observers believing that Ruddock had done enough to win.
The fight was a testament to the toughness and skill of both fighters and remains one of the most memorable heavyweight battles of the 1990s. The two fighters would meet again in a rematch later that year, with Tyson winning by technical knockout in the seventh round.
Evander Holyfield I (1996)
The first fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield took place on November 9, 1996, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Holyfield was the reigning WBA heavyweight champion, and Tyson was making a comeback after serving a prison sentence.
The fight started off well for Tyson, who landed some powerful punches in the early rounds. However, Holyfield weathered the storm and began to take control of the fight in the later rounds. In the 10th round, Holyfield landed a series of punches that had Tyson in trouble.
In the 11th round, Holyfield landed a massive right hand that sent Tyson to the canvas. Tyson managed to get back to his feet, but he was clearly dazed and disoriented. The referee stopped the fight, giving Holyfield the victory by technical knockout.
The victory over Tyson was a significant upset and marked the beginning of Holyfield’s reign as the undisputed heavyweight champion. The fight was also memorable for Tyson biting Holyfield’s ear during a clinch in the third round, which led to Tyson’s disqualification.
Evander Holyfield II (1997)
The bite that was seen around the world is still part of boxing’s current conversations.
The second fight between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield took place on June 28, 1997, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight was dubbed “The Sound and the Fury” and was one of the most anticipated rematches in boxing history.
The fight started off well for Holyfield, who landed some powerful punches in the early rounds. However, in the third round, Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear and was disqualified from the fight. The incident was a shocking and controversial moment in boxing history, and it led to Tyson being banned from the sport for a year.
The fight had a disappointing end to what could have been another classic battle between two of the greatest heavyweights of all time. The aftermath of the fight was dominated by the controversy surrounding Tyson’s actions and the impact it had on his career. The incident also overshadowed Holyfield’s victory and his legacy as one of the greatest fighters in boxing history.
Andrew Golota
The fight between Mike Tyson and Andrew Golota took place on October 20, 2000, at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan. Tyson was trying to make a comeback after a series of personal and professional setbacks, while Golota was a respected heavyweight contender.
The fight was a strange and controversial affair, with Golota repeatedly hitting Tyson below the belt and refusing to follow the referee’s instructions. Tyson was also guilty of several fouls, including biting Golota’s shoulder during a clinch in the second round.
In the third round, Golota was disqualified for excessive low blows, giving Tyson the victory. The fight was marred by the controversial ending and the ugly scenes that followed, with members of both camps getting into a brawl in the ring.
The fight was an embarrassing moment in the careers of both fighters, and it marked the beginning of the end of Tyson’s boxing career. It was also a reminder of the dangers of allowing personal animosity and bad blood to affect a sporting contest.
Kevin McBride (2005)
The fight between Mike Tyson and Kevin McBride took place on June 11, 2005, at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. It was Tyson’s final professional fight before retiring from boxing.
The fight was seen as a mismatch, with Tyson being heavily favored to win. However, McBride had other ideas and was able to take advantage of Tyson’s lack of conditioning and ring rust. He was able to wear Tyson down with his superior size and reach, and by the sixth round, Tyson was exhausted and barely able to defend himself.
In the seventh round, Tyson decided to retire on his stool, giving McBride the victory by technical knockout. It was a shocking and disappointing end to Tyson’s career, as he had been one of the most dominant and feared fighters in boxing history. The fight was a reminder of the dangers of underestimating an opponent and the importance of staying in top physical condition in order to compete at the highest level.
These fights are just a few of the many memorable moments in Mike Tyson’s legendary career. Tyson’s combination of speed, power, and aggression, not to mention fantastic quotes, made him one of the most feared boxers of all time, and his fights will continue to be talked about for years to come.
