10 Mike Tyson Career Moments to Remember

‘Iron’ Mike Tyson had an eventful boxing career, from an incredible explosion onto the heavyweight scene as a young phenom in 1985 to a series of reckless moments in the ring, which added to his notoriety. Mike Tyson’s fights were always big events and always attracted a crowd, even when he was towards the end of his boxing career in the early 2000s. Big fights, outrageous interviews, shocking losses, and big wins – here are 10 moments, good and bad, from Tyson’s career that will never be forgotten.

Dispatching Michael Spinks Early To Become Lineal Champion

On June 27, 1988, Tyson defended his undisputed heavyweight crown against unbeaten Michael Spinks. Spinks, who had become lineal heavyweight champion by beating Larry Holmes in 1985, was no match for Tyson’s power and was beaten in 91 seconds. A historically linked title to the man who beat the man, the importance of becoming a lineal champion would not have been lost on Tyson, who is a keen student of boxing history.

Biting Lennox Lewis’ Leg At A Press Conference

Never far from controversy, Tyson infamously tried to brawl with Lennox Lewis at a January 2002 press conference in New York to officially announce their fight, which would take place later that year. Tyson ended up down low and was found to have bitten Lewis on the leg. Although the incident did not derail their bout, which took place in June of 2002, Tyson was fined a reported $335,000 for this indiscretion.

Wild Post-Fight Interview In Glasgow

In 2000, Tyson was banned from boxing in Nevada after an incident in a no-contest against Orlin Norris. Mike headed across the pond for two fights in the UK. After the second of the two, a June 2000 early first-round stoppage of Lou Savarese at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Tyson went on a wild rant when being interviewed by Jim Gray of Showtime.

Highlights include boasting, “I’m the best ever. I’m the most brutal and most vicious, most ruthless champion there’s ever been. No one can stop me, I’m the best ever.”

Tyson continued aggressively, “I’m Sonny Liston, I’m Jack Dempsey, there’s no one like me, I’m from their cloth. There’s no one that can match me. My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, I’m just ferocious, I want your heart, I want to eat his [Lennox Lewis’] children.” Mike then stormed out of the ring. It’s fair to say the post-fight rant got more attention than the short fight that preceded it.

An Explosive Entry To Professional Boxing

From debuting in March 1985 to fighting for the world title for the first time in November 1986, Tyson was on a 27-fight tear. Yes, you read that right – Tyson fought 27 times in 20 months. Of those 27 wins, only James Tillis and Mitch Green heard the final bell. It was a fearsome run of knockouts that will never be forgotten.

Being emphatically KO’d By Lennox Lewis

Boxing fans had demanded Lewis vs. Tyson for a long time. It finally took place in June 2002. Lewis was the unified champion. Tyson was 49-3 at this point but had the name recognition and had beaten Brian Nielsen in Denmark eight months prior.

Could he pose any problems for Lewis? The answer was no, not really. The fight highlighted just how far Tyson was from being a top heavyweight at this stage of his career. Lewis controlled the bout and finished it with a right hand, which left Tyson on the canvas in round eight. It unfolded in front of the eyes of the world. Everyone, including Tyson, knew his days as a top fighter were over.

First Fight Back After Prison Sentence

In August 1995, Tyson faced Peter McNeeley in what would be his first boxing match in over four years. Tyson had been away from the sport after being convicted of rape in 1992 and spending time in prison. Billed as “He’s Back,” Tyson vs. McNeeley took place in Las Vegas, and there was plenty of worldwide interest.

30-1 McNeeley showed no fear and attacked Tyson. He got acquainted with the canvas twice in the opening 89 seconds, and his manager stepped in to stop the bout. Tyson’s comeback bout was over in less than 90 seconds. The bout generated $96 million, with a reported $63 million of that coming from pay-per-view sales as over 1.5 million American households purchased the event.

Shocking Defeat To James “Buster” Douglas In Japan

Tyson slid to his first career defeat on February 11, 1990. At that point, he was the undisputed heavyweight champion and was expected to easily see off the challenge of 44/1 outsider Douglas at the Tokyo Dome. Tyson showed up poorly prepared, while Douglas was in the shape of his life. It showed as the rounds were elapsing, and Tyson was knocked out in the tenth round.

It was a seismic upset, as Tyson had looked unbeatable up to that point. The outcome underlined the old adage that absolutely anything can happen in a boxing match.

Regaining The Heavyweight Crown

Mike Tyson was afforded the opportunity to fight for the WBC heavyweight title in his third fight back after prison. Frank Bruno of England was the title holder, and the fight occurred in Las Vegas in March 1996. Bruno was no match for a fired-up Tyson on the night, and the fight was stopped in the third round. Tyson had his hands on a world title belt for the first time since he lost them all to Douglas in Tokyo six years previously.

The Bite Fight

It is one of the most infamous sporting incidents of all time. Following defeat to Evander Holyfield in November 1996, Tyson got his wish for a quick rematch, and the two men renewed acquaintances in June 1997. Tyson felt aggrieved after the first fight – he felt he hadn’t been given fair treatment or protection by the referee and accused Holyfield of fouling his way to victory.

The rematch didn’t start much better for Tyson, and feeling frustrated, he bit Holyfield on the right ear, tearing about an inch of skin off, with 40 seconds remaining in the third round. Confusion reigned as the fight was stopped for several minutes. The bout eventually continued after Tyson had been deducted two points for the bite.

Tyson then bit Holyfield’s left ear, which the referee did not notice. Once the round was over, the ref was notified of the second bite and disqualified Tyson. As a result of his bad behavior, Tyson had his license revoked by the Nevada Commission for over a year and was fined $3 million.

Winning The Heavyweight Title For The First Time

After a dominant 27-fight winning streak, Tyson faced WBC title holder Trevor Berbick in Las Vegas on November 22, 1986. It is still a date that is etched into the minds of boxing historians, as it is the night that, at just 20 years old, Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. That record still stands today. Tyson had too much energy and power for Berbick, who was stopped in the contest’s second round.

Mike Tyson capped off the remarkable start to his boxing career by making history. Despite everything else that happened in the following years, no one can ever take that away from him.

Colin Morrison

A boxing fan since his teenage years, Morrison began writing about the sport in July 2016. He appreciates all styles of boxing and has nothing but respect for those who get in the ring for our entertainment. Morrison is from Scotland and can be found on Twitter @Morrie1981.

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