 Happy B'day, Mike Tyson – Revisiting His Iconic Boxing Showdowns.webp)
The former heavyweight champion last fought competitively in 2005, where he suffered a TKO defeat to Kevin McBride
Mike Tyson is considered one of the most iconic figures in boxing. Tyson, born in New York on June 30, 1966, rose to fame as one of the most formidable and successful boxers ever, thanks to his aggressive approach and potent knockouts.
As Tyson celebrates his 58th birthday, his connection to the ring remains strong.
Tyson is scheduled to face Jake Paul on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The former heavyweight champion last fought competitively in 2005, where he suffered a TKO defeat to Kevin McBride. In November 2020, Tyson returned in an exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. The fight, featuring two boxing legends, ended in a draw after eight rounds.
Tyson had numerous memorable fights that solidified his place as one of the greatest in history, and these are just a few examples.
Credit: GQ Sports
Mike Tyson at an event
At 18, Tyson debuted professionally in Albany, New York, on March 6, 1985, securing a first-round TKO victory over Hector Mercedes. Mercedes landed a solid left hand in the about's opening moments but was quickly overwhelmed by Tyson's relentless aggression. Tyson advanced with powerful combinations targeting both the head and body. A flurry of punches forced Mercedes against the ropes, and he retreated into the corner. Tyson then unleashed seven unanswered punches, including a devastating left hook to the body that dropped Mercedes to one knee. Mercedes stayed on his knee and signalled to the referee that he was finished.
The fight between Trevor Berbick and Mike Tyson, called Judgment Day, took place on November 22, 1986, for the WBC heavyweight championship. Tyson dominated from the start, aggressively attacking Berbick with powerful punches. By the end of the first round, Tyson had Berbick reeling from a four-punch combination.
In the second round, Tyson quickly dropped Berbick with another combination. Though Berbick managed to stand, he could not launch an effective counterattack. Tyson knocked Berbick down again at 2:35 with a right to the body and a left hook to the head. Berbick's repeated attempts to rise failed, prompting referee Mills Lane to stop the fight and declare Tyson the winner by knockout. At twenty-four months, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history.
Larry Holmes struggled to keep pace with the younger and stronger Mike Tyson, frequently holding him to slow his relentless attacks for the WBA, WBC, and IBF Heavyweight Championships in 1988. In round 4, Holmes initially landed several left jabs, but Tyson quickly responded, cornering Holmes and landing powerful blows.
Tyson's left jab–right-hand combination sent Holmes to the canvas. Though Holmes got up, Tyson knocked him down again with a right hook. Holmes managed to rise again, but Tyson's relentless assault culminated in a final right hook that floored Holmes for the third time, prompting referee Joe Cortez to stop the fight and declare Tyson the winner by technical knockout.
Mike Tyson and Frank Bruno contested on February 25, 1989, for the WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring heavyweight championships, which began quickly with both fighters exchanging punches in the centre of the ring. Tyson knocked down Bruno with a right hook early on, but Bruno promptly got up and took an eight count before resuming the fight. Despite aggressive exchanges, Bruno received a point deduction for excessive holding.
In the first round, Bruno staggered Tyson with a left hook–right-hand combination, marking the first time Tyson had been visibly hurt in his professional career. At the end of round 2, Tyson's right hand sent Bruno into the ropes, and though Tyson sensed a knockout, Bruno managed to survive the round. Tyson continued to dominate, and in round 5, he relentlessly attacked Bruno with powerful combinations. With less than 10 seconds remaining, Tyson pinned Bruno against the ropes and delivered two right uppercuts followed by a left hook. Referee Richard Steele intervened before Bruno could go down, awarding Tyson the victory by technical knockout.
