Counting Down the 10 Biggest Mike Tyson Fights

Mike Tyson is one of the most notorious boxers in the history of the sport. Known as “Iron Mike” and “The Baddest Man On The Planet,” the American heavyweight compiled a 50-6 record during his campaign. Forty-four of his wins came by knockout. Along with KOs, controversy followed Tyson throughout his career. Every Tyson fight was eagerly anticipated. Each one was a big event.

Here is a countdown of his 10 biggest bouts for your reading pleasure.

10. Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley, August 19, 1995, MGM Grand, Las Vegas

Intrigue was high before this bout as it was Tyson’s first in four years following his time in prison. Everyone wanted to see how “Iron Mike” looked 50 months removed from his last fight. Opponent Peter McNeeley, 36-1 at the time of the fight, was a safe opponent with a good-looking record. McNeeley talked a big game before the fight, promising to “wrap Tyson up in a cocoon of horror!” It made for good entertainment, if nothing else.

On fight night, McNeeley came out swinging and was dropped by a Tyson counter right after 10 seconds. McNeeley was down again not long after the first minute had elapsed. McNeeley’s manager entered the ring at this point, forcing the referee to disqualify the fighter. It was over quickly. Tyson was back with a win.

9. Tyson vs. Donovan Ruddock, June 28, 1991, Mirage Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas

Tyson had beaten Ruddock via TKO three months before this encounter in the 7th round. Ruddock’s team were unhappy about the referee’s decision as he hadn’t been floored and looked fine to continue. They demanded a rematch, and it was quickly organized.

The second time around, the bout went all the way to the scorecards. Despite having three points deducted for low blows and hitting after the bell, Tyson emerged with a unanimous decision win.

8. Tyson vs. Tony Tubbs, March 21, 1988, Tokyo Dome, Tokyo

Tyson’s first pro fight outside of America was the third defense of his undisputed heavyweight crown. Tubbs was game and landed some good shots on Tyson. This was prime Tyson through, and in the second round, he landed a body shot-uppercut combo on Tubbs, which won him the fight. Tubbs remained on his feet but was hurt and was floored with a follow-up left hook seconds later, forcing his corner to jump in and rescue their man. Tyson’s next trip to Japan wouldn’t end so favorably for him.

7. Tyson vs. Tony Tucker, August 1, 1987, Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas

This was the final of a tournament called the Heavyweight World Series. The competition’s creators, HBO and Don King Productions aimed to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion. Tyson carried two slices of the pie to the contest, Tucker the other one. The winner would leave with them all and the undisputed heavyweight champion status.

Tucker was able to hear the final bell, but Tyson had won the fight convincingly. The judges agreed, scoring widely in Mike’s favor. His unanimous decision win saw Tyson crowned the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Leon Spinks, almost a decade earlier.

6. Tyson vs. Frank Bruno, March 16, 1996, MGM Grand, Las Vegas

The second bout between Tyson and Bruno was Tyson’s first chance to win a world title since his release from prison. It was the third fight of his comeback, and Bruno, who had won the title six months earlier by defeating Oliver McCall, was no match for a fired-up Tyson. It was one-sided, and a 13-pinch flurry from Tyson in the third session was enough for referee Mills Lane to call a halt to the bout. Tyson was once again a world title holder.

5. Tyson vs. Buster Douglas, February 11, 1990, Tokyo Dome, Tokyo

Tyson was back in Japan for what looked to be an easy seventh defense of his undisputed crown. Douglas had other ideas, though, and shocked the world by scoring a 10th-round KO of Tyson. The fighter with a 28-4-1 record was a 44/1 outsider with those in the know to win the fight.

It turned out no one knew anything as a motivated Douglas was the better boxer on the night. Tyson looked poorly prepared and unprofessional as he slid to his first career defeat. It was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

4. Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick, November 22, 1986, Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas

Tyson had surged to 27-0 in just 20 months and was now knocking on the door of winning a world title. Trevor Berbick, 31-4-1 coming in, was making the first defense of the title he won against Pinklon Thomas eight months prior. He wouldn’t hold it much longer as Tyson aggressively won the belt.

After hurting Berbick in the opening round, Tyson floored him early in the second. Berbick was able to continue, but towards the end of the round, he was down again. He tried to rise, but his legs failed him twice, sending him staggering back down. He had had enough punishment. Mike Tyson was the new heavyweight champion. At 20 years and 145 days old, Tyson had become the youngest heavyweight champion in history.

3. Tyson vs. Lennox Lewis, June 8, 2002, The Pyramid, Memphis

Tyson was in the fairly chaotic final stages of his career when he got the opportunity to face unified champion, Lennox Lewis. It was a long-awaited meeting between two of the biggest fighters of their era.

The world hoped Tyson could turn back the clock and present Lewis with a challenge. He couldn’t, though, and the UK boxer won without getting out of second gear. Lewis sent Tyson to the mat with a heavy right hand in the 8th round, and “Iron Mike” was counted out.

2. Tyson vs. Holyfield 1, November 9, 1996, MGM Grand, Las Vegas

The long-awaited meeting between the two American heavyweights brought the boxing world to a standstill. Tyson carried a title to the ring; Holyfield was trying to regain a title, having lost his in 1994 to Michael Moorer. Before the fight, there was genuine concern for Holyfield’s welfare. Most predicted Tyson to win with ease.

As it played out, Evander wouldn’t be intimidated. He matched Tyson’s rough tactics with plenty of his own and had much better boxing exchanges. Tyson was floored in round six before being badly hurt and staggered in the tenth, only for the round to expire. Mike went back out for the 11th, only to be met with an aggressive group of punches from Holyfield. The referee called the fight, and Tyson was defeated for the second time in his professional career.

1. Tyson vs. Holyfield 2, June 28, 1997, MGM Grand, Las Vegas

Just over six months after their first encounter, Holyfield and Tyson fought a rematch. It would go down in boxing infamy. Tyson was angry after the first bout, alleging that Holyfield had deliberately head-butted him throughout the original contest. He would have his chance at revenge but quickly lost his cool when Evander was the dominant fighter in the opening stages. Things came to a head in round three.

During a clinch, Tyson bit Holyfield on his right ear. The bite took about an inch of skin from its target area. Holyfield leaped in the air in pain, and the fight was halted. Tyson was deducted two points and warned not to bite again. The fight continued, but before the third round could end, Tyson attempted another bite, this time to Holyfield’s left ear. This went unnoticed until the end of the round.

Once it was ascertained that Tyson had attempted a second bite, referee Mills Lane disqualified him, and Holyfield was declared the winner. The fight, which generated $180 million in combined live gate and pay-per-view revenue, would forever be known as “The Bite Fight.”

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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