Mike Tyson is a professional heavyweight boxer whose name remains the most recognizable among his colleagues to this day. For the force of the blow and aggressive behavior in the ring, he was once nicknamed the "killer boxer". Olympic champion among juniors, absolute world champion, many times recognized champion in versions of WBC, WBA, IBF, The Ring. A quick knockout master, many of whose records have not been broken so far.

Childhood and youth

Michael Gerard Tyson was born in June 1966 in the Brownsville area of ​​New York. His father was Purcell Tyson, but he left the family before his son was born. Michael was the youngest child: the eldest daughter Denise and son Rodney were growing up in the family. V early childhood Tyson was very vulnerable. He was offended by his peers, courtyard boys and even his older brother. He could not stand up for himself and often suffered because of this, coming home with bruises and no pocket money.

In June 2005, Mike met in the ring with a little-known Irish boxer Kevin McBride. Of course, the fans put on Tyson. But in the 5th round, the champion's fatigue began to appear, and in the 6th he sat down on the floor and refused to participate in the 7th round. After this fight, Mike announced that he decided to end his career.

Movies and books

The life story of the popular heavyweight was taken as the basis for several documentaries. These are the mid-90s film Fallen Champion: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson and the 2000s Beyond Glory and Tyson.

American professional boxer Mike Tyson(born in 1966) - probably the most grandiose figure in the world modern sports... On his account there are many beautiful fights, but a lot of shocking acts. His services to world sports are great: he is the owner of many boxing records. For example, became the youngest world champion among the heavyweights in professional boxing (at the age of 20!), he made the fastest career from debut to conquest champion title(20.5 months) and title absolute world champion in the heavyweight division (29 months), the KO King has many more unique achievements of this kind.

Nickname " Iron Mike "Was not received by chance: his manner of fighting was aggressive and assertive, many opponents psychologically lost to him even before the start of the fight. Not very "sporty" behavior could be expected from him: the famous case with Holyfield's bitten off ear caught up with fear on many. In life, Mike Tyson was also not " good boy»: Three convictions (for rape, drug use and driving under their influence), excluding being in a juvenile colony.

One of the interesting fights Tyson can be called a duel in 1987 with Tyrell Biggs- Olympic champion in 1984. At that time, both boxers had not yet suffered a single defeat in the professional ring. The fight was rather short-lived - already in the 7th round, Iron Mike dealt a decisive blow, knocking out his opponent.

Famous episode with a bitten off ear took place in 1997 - this was Mike's second fight with Holyfield, as the boxer later explained his behavior - he wanted to avenge the numerous headbutts that Holyfield inflicted on him during both of these fights, in which he was nevertheless awarded Evander Holyfield.

Despite all the ambiguity of the figure Mike Tyson, his contribution to the history of boxing and his undoubted talent must be recognized and appreciated.

Defeats of Mike Tyson. In this article, let us recall to whom Mike Tyson lost in the amateur ring, how many defeats in his track record and how the fate of his winners developed.

Mike is a professional boxing legend. His striking victories and sensational defeats are known all over the world. Tyson had a short but eventful career in " amateurs". In this article, let's remember who Mike Tyson lost in the amateur ring, how many defeats in his track record and how the fate of his winners was.

Mike's record in amateur boxing: 48 (38 KOs) -6 (1 KOs). He fought his first fight in May 1981, and the last in September 1984, after which he switched to professional boxing.

1. Lost to: Ernie Bennett (USA). Date: November 1981 Competition: 1 lap open championship USA Junior in Rhode Island. Young Mike's first defeat. In June 1981, he won the youth Olympic Games and was entered for the national heavyweight tournament. In the first round, he lost by decision to a long-armed, technical fighter from South Carolina - Ernie Bennett. A year later, Ernie turned professional. He performed in the framework of the average weight, but did not reach great heights. Finished a short career with a record of 8 (5) -3 (1) -0. Bennett became famous as the fighter who inflicted the first defeat on the legendary, then still very young, Mike Tyson.
2. Lost to: Al Evans (USA). Date: December 1982 Competition: Round 1 of the US National Senior Championships in Binghamton ( state of new york). Tyson's only early defeat in the amateur ring. In the second round, the huge, experienced Evans knocked 16-year-old Mike down. After the second knockdown, the referee stopped the fight. Al had good prospects as professionals, but there were no competent managers next to him. In the second battle in " the pros"he lost to Oliver McCall. Evans continued to enter the ring, but brutal defeats at the hands of Ray Mercer and Axel Schultz forced him to end his career. Record: 4 (4) -6 (5) -0."
3. Lost to: Craig Payne (USA). Date: March 1983 Competition: Final of the national tournament " Golden Gloves"in Albuquerque ( state of new mexico). Tyson confidently passed 4 stages to the final. In the decisive fight, he lost to the experienced Craig Payne, a boxer from Ohio. Mike won the silver medal prestigious tournament... Craig won the amateur ring of Teofilo Stevenson himself. For this reason, the defeat of young Mike did not become a sensation. In 1985 Payne turned professional, but his career did not work out. Record: 11 (8) -20 (7) -2. He had problems with overweight... After completing his career, he suffered from memory loss. In 2017, Craig died of severe diabetes.
4. Lost to: Kimmuel Odum (USA). Date: December 1983 Competition: Round 1 of the US National Senior Championships in Colorado Springs ( colorado). Like a year earlier, Mike faced the main favorite in the first round of the tournament. In the second round, Tyson was disqualified for a blow below the belt. " Chicago Merry Man"Odum won the tournament. Kimmuel won the Chicago tournament twice." Golden Gloves"and was one of the five best heavyweights in the United States. In 1986 he moved to the professional, but in the first fight lost to the aforementioned Oliver McCall. The eminent amateurs did not have a career on" pro ring". In 1999, Kimmuel finished his performances with a record: 17 (13) -30 (20) -1.
5. Lost to: Henry Tillman (USA). Date: June 1984 Competition: 4th round of qualifying Olympic tournament USA at Fort Waite ( state of texas). The preliminary fights were not easy for Tyson. An injury to the left hand made itself felt. For the young fighter it was 4 fight in a row in 3 days of competition. Experienced Henry Tillman won a landslide victory by unanimous decision: 5-0. Henry won the tournament and won the right to represent the country at the Los Angeles Olympics.
6. Lost to: Henry Tillman (USA). Date: July 1984 Competition: Round 2 of the US National Olympic Tournament in Las Vegas ( state of nevada). A month after the first fight, Mike and Henry met in the second round of the national Olympic tournament. Tillman has already won the right to represent the country at the Los Angeles Games. The defeat would not deprive him of his status as the first number of the US national team. He defeated young Mike again. The second battle took place in a more competitive battle. 4 out of 5 judges awarded the victory to Tillman. He won the tournament and for a long 6 years remained the last fighter who could defeat the formidable Tyson. In February 1990, this status was taken away from Henry. Tillman won a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics and turned pro. He boxed in the first heavy weight... Lost in the fight for the championship title to Evander Holyfield, and in June 1990, Tyson knocked out Henry in the first round, thereby taking revenge on the Olympic champion for two defeats in the amateur ring. Tillman's record in professional boxing: 26 (16) -6 (4).

Now you know the answer to the question: how many defeats did Mike Tyson suffer in the amateur ring? There were six of them. In September 1984, Tyson won the international tournament in Finland. After success in the international arena, Zhelezny planned to take part in youth championship peace in Bucharest, where his path could cross with young Andrzej Golota and Felix Savon. However, Mike and his team made the decision to end their careers at " amateurs". In March 1985, Tyson started in" the pros"led by legendary mentors

During his professional career, Mike Tyson had 58 fights, won 50 victories, 44 knockouts, including technical ones, suffered 6 defeats, 2 fights remained without results.

Mike Tyson's knockout career

First professional fight in sports career Mike Tyson took place on March 5, 1985. Mike's opponent was Hector Mercedes, whom he defeated by TKO. In 1985, he fought 15 fights, all won by knockout.

Before his first championship fight, which took place in November 1986, Tyson managed to fight 12 fights. In January 1986, he won a 5-round TKO victory over Mike Jameson, who became the first fighter to last 5 rounds in a fight with Tyson. The second surviving Jesse Ferguson, Mike broke his nose, Jesse was disqualified in the 6th round.

In May 1986, he dated James Tillis, a former title challenger. This fight was Tyson's first professional fight that lasted 10 rounds. Accordingly, Tillis became the first boxer to last 10 rounds in a fight with Mike. The victory was awarded to Tyson by unanimous decision.

Just 17 days after the fight with Tillis, he defeated Mitch Green, who, like Tyson, grew up in Brownsville and, according to legend, was part of the opposing gang. For this, Tyson knocked him out first a mouthpiece, and then a golden tooth, the victory was awarded by unanimous decision.

In July of the same year, a fight took place between the two most outstanding and promising Mike Tyson and Marvis Fraser, the son of the famous heavyweight champion Joe Fraser. This fight was the shortest fight in Tyson's entire professional career, he knocked out his opponent in just 30 seconds.

In November, he went to his first championship fight, his opponent was reigning champion World by WBC Trevor Berbick. The fight lasted only 2 rounds, Tyson won by knockout and became world champion.

In the spring of 1987, Mike becomes the WBA World Champion by defeating James Smith in a combined bout.

In May 1987, Tyson successfully defends the champion title by knocking out challenger Pinklon Thomas, who had never
was not even in the night.

In August, he becomes the undisputed WBC and WBA world champion by defeating Tony Tucker, in a fight which was named The Ultimate.

In October, "Iron Mike" knocks out Olympic champion Tyrell Bigs in round 7, proving to everyone that he, too, is capable of representing the United States at the Olympics.

In January 1988, he knocked out the legendary Larry Holmes, who had never been knocked out before the fight with Tyson.

In March of the same year, defending the title, he knocked out the strongest in the 2nd round former champion Tony Tubbs.

In June 1988, he knocked out Michael Spinks and became the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

In February 1989, Tyson defeats the strongest heavyweight from Great Britain Frank Bruno by technical knockout.

Four boxers retired after being defeated by Mike Tyson: Trent Singleton, Benjamin Sterling, Michael Spinks, Frank Bruno.

In the early summer of 1989, he once again successfully defended his title by defeating US champion Carl Williams.

In 1990, Tyson, due to problems with alcohol, lost the title of champion and he had to fight again for the place of the challenger. Mike's opponent became Olympic champion Henry Tillman. He defeated Tillman by clean knockout at the end of the 1st round. In December of the same year, he knocked out Alex Stewart prospect in round 1.

Mike Knockouts After Imprisonment

After Mike Tyson returned to the ring in 1995, he knocked out the undefeated Buster Mathis Jr.
In September 1996, Tyson met with WBA world champion Bruce Seldon. His Mike knocked out in the first round, winning the WBA title and earning $ 25 million.

Tyson's close friend, the famous rapper Tupac Shakur, was shot dead on September 7, 1996 after he and his comrades were returning from watching the fight between Mike Tyson and Bruce Seldon.

In January 1999, Mike meets with South African boxer François Botha and knocks him out in a very nervous fight at the end of the 5th round.

In February 2003, Tyson knocked out Clifford Etienne in round 1, this knockout was the last in professional career"Iron Mike".

It is worth adding to this that during his amateur boxing career, Tyson spent 60 fights, winning 54 and losing 6, how many victories were won by knockout is unknown.