Mike Tyson Through the Years

SI Staff | Apr 24, 2009

Mike Tyson Through the Years /

Mike Tyson Through the Years

Boxing great Mike Tyson is known as much for his ironclad fists as he his for personal trials -- legal, psychological and physical. In a riveting documentary that makes its U.S. debut on April 24, history's youngest heavyweight champion is exposed for all to see and, maybe even, understand. But before the film "Tyson" hits the big screen, here's a look back at some of the knockout king's famous and infamous moments throughout his career.

At 13, Tyson had a 5-foot-8, 210-pound frame and, already, the mindset of a troubled individual. While he became known as the school bully at a center for juvenile delinquents in upstate New York, Tyson had, unknowingly, began his storied career to boxing stardom. By 19, he was already 15-fights deep in his pro career and was eyed as the next great heavyweight to hit the scene.

Outside the ring, Tyson found solitude in breeding "roller" pigeons, which are known for flying miles overhead before taking massive dives. The former champ owned hundreds at the time and said they were the love of his love, next to his six children.

Tyson got his first shot at a title on Nov. 22, 1986, against Trevor Berbick, the WBC heavyweight champion. Only 20 years, 4 months at the time, Tyson won by TKO in the second round to become the youngest heavyweight champ in history.

In his 75 professional fights, former champion Larry Holmes was knocked out only once -- to Tyson on Jan. 22, 1988.

Nearly five months after downing Holmes, Tyson took on Michael Spinks. The result was not pretty, as Spinks was KO'd in 91 seconds and never fought professionally thereafter.

After taking the boxing world by storm, Tyson's personal world started to crumble as he lost both his surrogate father/mentor Cus D'Amato and co-manager Jimmy Jacobs. Moreover, promoters were fighting over his contract, he fired his longtime trainer, and his marriage to actress Robin Givens was rapidly falling apart.

As his life continued to spiral, Tyson took the first professional loss of his career to James "Buster" Douglas on Feb. 11, 1990 -- a knockout that has been described as one of the most shocking upsets in sports.

Henry Tillman had defeated Tyson twice during the former champ's amateur career. But Iron Mike got revenge just four months after losing his titles to Douglas. The "Baddest Man on the Planet" KO'd Tillman just 2:47 into their bout.

The first meeting between Tyson and Donovan Ruddock, on March 18, 1991, was marred with controversy as referee Richard Steele stepped in to end the fight in the seventh round and Ruddock received a slew of punches from Tyson. The Canadian brawler appeared to be fully conscious and fine, despite the hard hits, and the premature stoppage resulted in an all-out brawl between the two camps. Tyson was given the TKO victory, and when the two fought in a rematch just a few months later, Tyson won by unanimous decision.

Tyson was convicted of rape in 1992 and spent three years in prison.

In their first matchup, on Nov. 9, 1996, Evander Holyfield shocked Tyson by TKO in the 11th round to win the WBA heavyweight crown.

V.J. Lovero/SI, Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Tyson's rematch with Holyfield in June 1997 is one of Tyson's most infamous moments. The fight was stopped in the third round after Tyson viciously bit off a chunk of Holyfield's ear.

With his intimidating grin and golden front tooth, Mike Tyson, by 2002, had become one of the most feared men, let alone boxers, in the land. While his psyche was questioned and ridiculed, Tyson prepared for one of the most important bouts of his career: a showdown with IBO, IBF and WBC heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis.

After dropping back-to-back fights to Holyfield, Iron Mike got himself back in title contention, this time against IBO, IBF and WBC titleholder Lewis on June 8, 2002. After telling Lewis, "I want your heart. I want to eat your children!" Tyson was knocked out in the eighth round.

The last fight of Tyson's professional career was against Irish boxer Kevin McBride. And it certainly wasn't the way Tyson envisioned leaving the sport. Trainer Jeff Fenech requested the fight be stopped before the start of the seventh round, as the former champ appeared exhausted and unfit to continue. Tyson finished with a 50-6 record, but lost three out of his last four fights.

Published Apr 24, 2009

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