SUMMARY
- Mike Tyson had one of the most illustrious careers in boxing history with a record of 50-6.
- Four of his losses were knockouts.
Mike Tyson was one of the most brutal heavyweight boxers ever. His ability to hit and take a hit was phenomenal. “Iron Mike” had a 20-inch neck at the age of 18 after rigorous exercises. It helped him attain a shield against getting knocked out. However, there were a few boxers in Tyson’s illustrious career who stepped up and knocked him out.
Tyson was 18 years old when he participated in his first-ever pro boxing bout. He faced Hector Mercedes on March 6, 1985, and defeated him via a first-round TKO. Early on in his career, he had shown signs of dominance and brute force. The heavyweight was there to take over.
By the end of 1985, Tyson miraculously racked up a 15-0 record. Only four of those fights went beyond the first round but all ended with a KO. His 20th fight and 20th win was the first win that came via a decision.
Mike Tyson kept on fighting and kept winning. He won and defended the WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring heavyweight titles on multiple occasions before encountering his first fall. Even the mightiest titans fall. In this article, we will take a look at the memorable clashes where Iron Mike met his match.
Buster Douglas – February 11, 1990
Mike Tyson was invincible. He fought 37 times and won 37 times. Anyone who faced him was an underdog. However, in February 1990, the boxing world was left in shock. James “Buster” Douglas, a seemingly underdog contender, stepped into the ring with Mike Tyson. He defied all expectations with his unwavering determination and skill.
Douglas relentlessly pursued Tyson and was not ready to succumb to the 23-year-old’s intimidation. Douglas showcased his resilience, weathering Tyson’s formidable punches.
In the 10th round, to the surprise of everyone watching around the world, Douglas unleashed a barrage of blows that sent Tyson crashing to the canvas. The referee’s count marked the end of Tyson’s reign, as Douglas emerged victorious. Tyson lost his undisputed heavyweight title and Douglas’ reign began. The official scorecard for the nine rounds read – 87–86 for Tyson, 86–86, and 88–83 for Douglas.
Mike Tyson’s first-ever loss was registered in his 38th fight.
Evander Holyfield – November 9, 1996
After his loss to Douglas, Tyson went on another winning streak. He won four fights but did not fight between late 1991 and early 1995 because he was in prison. After being released from prison, he fought and won another four fights. However, on November 9, 1996, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, Tyson met his match again.
Mike Tyson fought Evander Holyfield for the very first time and put his WBA heavyweight title on the line. Holyfield was renowned for his strategic brilliance. He presented a formidable challenge to Tyson’s supremacy. Tyson vs Holyfield was a proper clash of titans.
The challenger showcased his mastery and tactically outmaneuvered Tyson. The champion, as well known, was as aggressive as they came. Holyfield took advantage of his aggression. As the rounds unfolded, Holyfield’s resilience frustrated Tyson’s onslaught.
In the 10th round, Holyfield had gained complete dominance. He was punching Tyson without receiving any return. However, Tyson came back for the 11th round. Holyfield delivered a thunderous continuous combination of punches that sent Tyson to the ropes and the referee had seen enough. Just like that, for only the second time in his career, Tyson was knocked out in the boxing ring.
Not to forget, Holyfield and Mike Tyson met again months later in June 1997. This infamous bout ended with Tyson being disqualified for the most outrageous event in sporting history. Tyson bit a chunk off of Holyfield’s ear. This was registered as the third loss of his career.
Lennox Lewis – June 8, 2002
Mike Tyson’s boxing antics were becoming more and more problematic. He faced two No Contests (NCs) after his DQ loss to Holyfield. One was for a foul and another was due to testing positive for drugs.
At 35 years old, he faced Lennox Lewis on June 8, 2002, for the undisputed heavyweight title. At the time, Tyson’s record was 49-3. With everything that he went through in his career, that record was beyond impressive.
The bout between the heavyweight titans was highly-anticipated with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome. It was another battle of skill versus power. Lewis employed a calculated strategy. In a tactic that could be traced back to the Holyfield fight, Lewis utilized his technical prowess to nullify Tyson’s aggressive advances. With each passing round, Lewis asserted his dominance.
In the 8th round of the 12-round fight, Lewis unleashed a heavy right cross that left Tyson falling to the canvas. As Iron Mike fell to the canvas, the referee administered the count, signaling the end of the fight and Lewis’s emphatic victory. The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee, witnessed a boxing classic with Tyson getting knocked out for the third time in his career and facing only his fourth loss.
Danny Williams – July 30, 2004
Mike Tyson faced Clifford Etienne after his KO loss to Lewis. He knocked out Etienne in just 49 seconds to earn the 50th win of his career. Lewis offered Tyson another title bout but he refused and claimed he needed a few tune-up fights before fighting for the title again.
On July 30, 2004, Tyson faced Danny Williams. The British boxer was not well-known at the time. Tyson came strong off the blocks and dominated Williams in the first round. The Brit narrowly survived not getting knocked down. Tyson, however, suffered a knee injury which significantly reduced his mobility. Iron Mike still managed to win the second round on the judges’ scorecard.
Williams, who had a much better second round, remained competitive in the third. But, he had two points deducted – one for a late punch and one for a low blow. In the fourth round, Williams took advantage of a tired Tyson and began to rain in combinations. Tyson got knocked down and could not beat the referee’s count. Tyson suffered the fourth and final KO of his career at the hands of the Brit.
How did Mike Tyson end his career?
In his final boxing bout, Mike Tyson faced Kevin McBride. After frustration crept in for Tyson, in the sixth round of the fight, he intentionally headbutted McBride after attempting to break his arm in a clinch. Tyson quit on his stool before the seventh round began.
“I don’t have the guts to stay in this sport anymore,” said Tyson in his interview after the fight. “I don’t want to disrespect the sport that I love. My heart is not into this anymore. I’m sorry for the fans who paid for this. I wish I could have done better, but it’s time to move on with my life and be a father and take care of my children.”
Iron Mike completed his pro-boxing career with an astounding record of 50-6. Four of his losses were knockouts, the other two were the most absurd finishes in boxing history.