Tyson v Nielsen: TKO 7
With the U.S. public tired of Tyson’s shenanigans, the former champ takes his show back to Europe. In Copenhagen, Tyson faces the Danish champion, Neilsen. After six punishing rounds including a knockdown in the third, the 260lb Nielsen retires on his stool.
Tyson v Golota: NC 3
For his 53rd fight, Tyson returns to the U.S. In Detroit, Golota controversially refuses to fight on after the second round and the fight is awarded to Tyson. Golota draws the wrath of the crowd and is pelted with missiles thrown from ringside. Tyson tests positive for marijuana after the fight and the result is changed from a TKO to ‘No Contest’.
Tyson v Savarese: TKO 1
Tyson continues to restore his reputation overseas with a first round KO of British challenger Savarese in Glasgow, Scotland. The challenger is hopelessly outclasses as a barrage of punches from the first bell result in a stoppage after just 38 seconds of round 1. Tyson receives little credit for his 52nd fight from the media who insist that he must face a higher standard of opposition if he again wishes to fight for a world title.
Tyson v Francis: TKO 2
Tyson’s comeback moves to Manchester, England as bad press in the U.S. encourages the fallen champion to restore his reputation overseas. The British challenger, Francis, provides little competition and the referee stops the bout early in the second round following a ferocious Tyson assault.
Tyson v Norris: NC 1
Tyson’s second comeback bout ends in a No Contest after Norris is hit after the bell causing him to fall and damage his knee.
Tyson v Botha: KO 5
After 18 months out of the ring since biting the ear of Evander Holyfield, Tyson wins his latest comeback fight, his 49th, with a 5th round stoppage of Francois Botha in Las Vegas. Botha had been winning the fight on all of the judge’s scorecards before a vicious punch from Tyson ended the contest.
Wrestlemania 14
Wrestlemania 14 is held at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts. The event features Triple H vs Owen Hart, The Rock vs Ken Shamrock, The Undertaker vs Kane and Steve Austin vs Shawn Michaels with Mike Tyson as special outside enforcer.
Holyfield v Tyson: W DQ 3 Ear bite
Tyson is disqualified in Round 3 for twice biting the ear of Evander Holyfield in their rematch in Las Vegas, Tyson’s 48th fight. Tyson later complains that he was retaliating for continuous headbutts by Holyfield. A crowd of 18,187 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena produced a gate of $17,277,000. Domestic pay-per-view buys totaled more than 1.99 million and generated $99,822,000. The fight was shown on closed circuit television at 1,625 locations in the United States and generated $5,959,000. The fight was also seen in 97 foreign countries and foreign sales totaled $21,240,000, which included sponsorships.
Holyfield v Tyson: TKO 11
In a stunning upset, 25-1 favorite Mike Tyson loses his heavyweight crown to ‘washed up’ Evander Holyfield who frustrates and ultimately outclass the former ‘baddest man on the planet’. The Las Vegas crowd of 16,103 produced a gate of $14,150,700 while 1.59 million pay-per-view buys generated over $79 million.
Tyson v Seldon: TKO 1
Tyson adds the WBA belt to the WBC belt he won from Bruno as he beats Seldon in LAs Vegas in less than two minutes. Seldon incurs the wrath of the fans and media by appearing to hit the canvas without taking a punch.
Tyson v Bruno: TKO 3
Tyson regains the WBC Heavyweight Title with a 3rd round TKO against Bruno in Las Vegas. Meeting for the second time referee Mills Lane stops the contest early in the third round when Bruno goes down against the ropes. Tyson earns a reported $30million for the bout. This is the final fight of Bruno’s professional career. After the defeat Bruno’s trainer asks him what he plans to do outside the ring.
Don’t know. Go home and count the chandeliers.
Tyson v Mathis: KO 3
Fighting for the second time since his release from prison, in his 44th match, in Philadelphia, Tyson beats Mathis in under three rounds.
Tyson v McNeeley: W DSQ 1
Tyson fights for the first time in over 4 years following his prison sentence. The fight sets new records for Pay Per View sales. After two knockdowns in round 1 the referee disqualifies McNeeley when his manager enters the ring.
Tyson v Ruddock: W 12
Following the controversy surrounding their first meeting, Tyson’s 42nd fight sees him meeting Donovan ‘Razor’ Ruddock for a much anticipated rematch in Las Vegas. In an incident packed bout Ruddock is floored twice by Tyson in rounds 2 & 4. Tyson has three points deducted but still wins a unanimous points decision as he continues his quest for another shot at the title.
Mike Tyson interview
Tyson gives an interview on The Arsenio Hall Show. They talk about his relationship with Don King and if his gameplan changes before he goes into the ring.
You have to let a man walk his walk if it’s something that he choose to do, let him go his way. Because if he failed, he knows that he failed doing his best.
Tyson v Ruddock: TKO 7
After two ‘easy’ comeback wins, Tyson ups the stakes for his 41st fight by taking on Ruddock in Las Vegas. In a controversial fight Tyson stops Ruddock with a 6-punch combination in round 7. Ruddock, furious with the decision, demands a rematch.
Tyson v Stewart: KO 1
Tyson continues his comeback for his 40th fight with a first round stoppage of Alex Stewart in Atlantic City. Stewart hits the canvas before the referee calls a halt after 2:27 of the first round. Tyson comes in for criticism for taking such an ‘easy’ fight as he looks to rebuild his confidence.
Tyson v Tillman: KO 1
Tyson comes back with a first round knockout of Tillman at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas. Tillman had previously beaten Tyson twice in the amateurs but lasts just under 3 minutes this time around.
Douglas v Tyson: KO 10
James ‘Buster’ Douglas stuns the world as he beats Tyson to become the new Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. Fighting for the second time in Tokyo, Japan, Tyson, in his 38th fight, appears under-prepared amid rumors of a less than vigorous training regime ahead of this fight. The 42-1 underdog from Columbus, Ohio controls the fight from the outset and, in the tenth round, unleashes brutal shots on Tyson’s jaw with Tyson ending the fight on his knees desperately trying to replace his gumshield. Tyson loses his titles and moves to 37-1.
Tyson v Williams: TKO 1
In his 37th fight, in Atlantic City, Tyson downs Carl ‘The Truth’ Williams in a mere 93 seconds. Tyson retains his WBC, WBA and IBF belts to back up his claim that he is the ‘baddest man on the planet’.
