Tyson v Bruno: TKO 5
In his first fight since firing trainer Kevin Rooney, Tyson, in Las Vegas, is ‘wobbled’ for the first time in his career when the British heavyweight gets off the canvas in round one and lands a ferocious left hook on Tyson’s jaw. Tyson is unfazed and ultimately overpowers the challenger with a fifth round stoppage to remain the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
Tyson v Spinks: KO 1
In his 35th fight, in Atlantic City, Tyson produces the best performance of his career to date as he destroys the much-fancied Spinks in just 91 seconds. The fight was shown on closed circuit TV and pay-per-view. 600,000 households bought the fight on pay-per-view, generating $21 million.
Tyson v Tubbs: TKO 2
Tyson fights his 34th fight outside the United States for the first time as he puts his title on the line against Tony Tubbs in Tokyo, Japan. Tyson destroys an out of shape Tubbs in two short rounds.
I did what I was supposed to do to a guy supposedly out of shape. I got rid of him quick. If he had lasted six or seven rounds, I could have been criticized. It’s his prerogative to come into the ring the way he wants. He didn’t come out like a guy who just came to pick up a paycheck, he came out to fight. He got hit with solid shot.
Tyson v Holmes: TKO 4
Tyson begins 1988 in Atlantic City with a fourth round stoppage against an ageing Larry Holmes to retain his status as the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World. Tyson now has 33-0 wins.
Tyson v Biggs: TKO 7
In Atlantic City, in his first fight as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson wears down a determined and smart Biggs before delivering punches that force a 7th round stoppage.
Tyson v Tucker: W 12
In his 31st fight, in Las Vegas, Tyson becomes the first fighter to unify the heavyweight division as he wins a unanimous decision to add the IBF belt to the WBC and WBA belts that he already holds. In an unspectacular fight Tyson shows maturity and patience belying his years.
I was trying my best to punch inside, but I guess it wasn’t together today and he was very intimidated and it was very tough. He did a great deal of holding. He threw very fast punches.
Tyson admitted that Tucker rocked him in the first round.
Yes he did. He’s a very hard puncher. After it hit me, it was history. It went away. I was thinking that because he was very intimidated and he was freezing every once in awhile, I was thinking I would get him with a good right hand. As long as you make mistakes, you have no reason to be happy. I’m a perfectionist.
Tyson v Thomas: TKO 6
In his 30th fight in Las Vegas, Tyson hands Pinklon Thomas the first knockout of his 31 fight career with a TKO at 2:00 in round 6. Tyson retains his WBC and WBA belts and looks forward to a unification bout with Tony Tucker.
Tyson v Smith: W 12
Tyson adds the WBA title to the WBC belt he took from Trevor Berbick with a 12 round unanimous decision in Las Vegas over Smith. The spoiling defensive tactics of Smith frustrate the huge crowd and worldwide TV audience, but Tyson moves to 29-0 and now just needs Tony Tucker’s IBF belt to become the undisputed heavyweight champ.
Tyson v Berbick: TKO 2
Boxing history is made in Las Vegas as 20 year old Tyson destroys Berbick to take the WBC Title and become the Heavyweight Champion of the World. Tyson takes less than six minutes to beat Berbick and become the youngest heavyweight champion ever.
Tyson v Ratliff: KO 2
In his 27th fight, Tyson makes his Las Vegas debut against Ratliff, a former World Champion. Tyson gets a TKO in round 2.
Tyson v Ribalta: TKO 10
Now ranked #1 by the WBA, in his 26th fight Tyson knocks Ribalta down three times but is taken to the tenth round before securing victory. Early in the 10th, Tyson drops his opponent with a left hook. He then unleashes a flurry of clean hooks to the head that prompt the referee to stop the fight.
He had it in his mind he’d come to fight and I commend him. He fought back. He had the idea he was going to survive. He was hurt pretty bad, but I couldn’t finish him. I was disappointed. I had a bad night.
Tyson v Frazier: KO 1
Billed as the smart tactical boxer that would finally expose the Tyson myth, in Glan Falls, NY, Frazier is beaten within 30 seconds, Tyson’s fastest ever KO.
I’m from Catskill, New York and I’m the best fighter in the world.
Tyson v Boyd: KO 2
At Swan Lake, NY, Tyson enters the ring for his 24th fight as the WBC’s # 2 ranked heavyweight contender. He breaks his opponents nose in the first round before forcing another KO after 1:43 of the second round.
Tyson v Hosea: KO 1
At Troy, NY, now ranked #2 in the heavyweight division, Tyson ignores an injury to his left hand to destroy Hosea with a barrage of attacks from the opening bell. The referee calls a halt at 2:03 of the first round and Tyson moves to 23-0.
Tyson v Gross: TKO 1
In his 22nd fight, and first fight under promoter Don King, Tyson (now ranked #4) destroys Reggie Gross after just 2:36 of the first round in a scheduled 10 rounder at Madison Square Garden. Gross is unhappy with the stoppage and shoves the referee away from him.
Tyson v Green: W 10
In his 21st fight, in New York, Tyson enters the ring to Eye of the Tiger for his toughest fight yet against Green, the WBC #7 ranked heavyweight in the world. Tyson is forced to go the distance for the second consecutive fight, prevailing again with a unanimous decision.
Tyson v Tillis: W 10
Tyson is taken the distance for the first time in his career at Glen Falls, NY, ending his perfect record of 19 straight KOs. Tillis proves to be a step up in class from the opponents fought to date, but a unanimous decision takes Tyson to 20-0.
Tyson v Zouski: KO 3
Tyson enters his 19th bout as the #10 ranked heavyweight in the world. In Uniondale, NY, he fights at his heaviest weight to date, coming in at 220.5lbs. Zouski is knocked out for the first time in his 35 fight career as a right uppercut snaps back his head and a massive left hook sends him down face first for a KO after 2:39 of round three.
Tyson v Ferguson: W DSQ 6
Tyson experiences his longest fight to date in Troy, NY, as Ferguson spends the majority of the fight with his back to the ropes and employs a variety of spoiler tactics. Tyson breaks his opponents nose and puts him on the canvas in Round 5 before the referee calls an end to proceedings in the 6th.
I never get frustrated, because I know we have a ten-round limit and the crop of heavyweights nowadays have a little difficulty going the full ten rounds. They way they have it planned in their mind to beat me is to jab, pot shot, and grab me, but it’s ten rounds and eventually I’m going to catch them.
Tyson v Jameson: TKO 5
In Atlantioc City, Tyson goes beyond four rounds for the first time (although Round 3 is mistakenly only two minutes long) as Jameson holds on gamely until he is stopped with a vicious right hand in the fifth round. After 17 consecutive KOs, the pressure for Tyson to be pitted against a higher claas of opponent intensifies.
