BoxRec - User contributions [en]

Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes

2007-05-12T11:29:59Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2653</fight>
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' 
*'''Referee:''' [[Joe Cortez]] 
*Time: 2:04
*Weights: Holmes 225¾ lbs (102 kg), Tyson 215¾ lbs (97,5 kg)
 
== Comment(s): ==
 
Holmes, 38 and out of the ring for nearly two years, suffered the inevitable humilation of his first knockout defeat at the hands of Tyson, 17 years younger. The rampant Tyson, who had destroyed former Olympic gold-medallist Tyrell Biggs in his previous fight, floored Holmes three times in the fourth round.
[[category:1988 Bouts|Holmes vs. Tyson]]

Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks

2007-05-12T11:12:53Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2880</fight>
[[file:0704_large.jpg|250px|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Frank Cappuccino]] 
*'''Judges:''' [[Eva Shain]], [[John Stewart]], [[Rocky Castellani]] 
*Time: 1:31 
*Weights: Spinks 212.25 lbs, Tyson 218.25 lbs
 
== Comment(s): ==
*''' 1988 - [[Ring Magazine Round of the Year]]. 
This was the fight in which Tyson, three days short of his 22nd birthday, produced what is widely regarded as the most dominant performance of his career. Many experts agree that Tyson would have been a match for any heavyweight in history on this night. Spinks, who didn't hold a belt but was regarded as the linear champion after twice beating Larry Holmes, had a perfect 31-0 record. Tyson had won 34 bouts in a row, with 30 KOs, including seven world title wins in 16 months. The fight, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, attracted enormous worldwide interest and was billed "Once and for all", meaning the winner would be recognised beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion. Tyson came out in his usual aggressive style, immediately putting Spinks on the back foot. With just over a minute gone, Tyson dropped Spinks with a right hand to the body - the first time for the former light-heavyweight champion had been down in his career. Spinks got up but was caught with another big right, this time on the chin, and counted out after one minute 31 seconds of the first round. Tyson earned a record USD 22 million for the fight, the biggest purse ever paid to a boxer at that time.

[[category:1988 Bouts|Spinks vs. Tyson]]

Mike Tyson vs. James (Bonecrusher) Smith

2007-04-29T14:23:23Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2284</fight>

*WBA & WBC Heavyweight Titles
*Referee: [[Mills Lane]]
*Judges scoring: [[Lou Tabat]] 120-106, [[Dalby Shirley]] 119-107, [[Jose J. Guerra]] 119-107
*Weights: Tyson 219; Smith 233
-----
Tyson easily won his second world title but Smith's negative tactics turned the fight into a dreary spectacle. The bout was billed as a must-see collision of two big punchers but instead Smith spent almost the entire 12 rounds trying to survive. The WBA champ held and grabbed Tyson every time his younger opponent got within punching range. Only in the final seconds did Smith open up, rocking Tyson with a big right hand, but it was much too late to make a difference. Tyson won widely on the scorecards without enhancing his reputation.

[[file:Tyson.smith.jpg|left]]

[[Category:1987 Bouts|Tyson vs. Smith]]

Mike Tyson vs. James (Bonecrusher) Smith

2007-04-29T14:21:54Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2284</fight>

*WBA & WBC Heavyweight Titles
*Referee: [[Mills Lane]]
*Judges scoring: [[Lou Tabat]] 120-106, [[Dalby Shirley]] 119-107, [[Jose J. Guerra]] 119-107
*Weights: Tyson 219; Smith 233
-----
Tyson easily won his second world title but Smith's negative tactics turned the fight into a dreary spectacle. The bout was billed as a must-see collision of two big punchers but instead Smith spent almost the entire 12 rounds trying to survive. The WBA champ held and grabbed Tyson every time his younger opponent got within punching range. Only in the final seconds did Smith open up, rocking Tyson with a big right hand, but it was much too late to make a difference. Tyson won widely without enhancing his reputation.

[[file:Tyson.smith.jpg|left]]

[[Category:1987 Bouts|Tyson vs. Smith]]

Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks

2007-04-29T14:08:13Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2880</fight>
[[file:0704_large.jpg|250px|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Frank Cappuccino]] 
*'''Judges:''' [[Eva Shain]], [[John Stewart]], [[Rocky Castellani]] 
*Time: 1:31 
*Weights: Spinks 212.25 lbs, Tyson 218.25 lbs
 
== Comment(s): ==
*''' 1988 - [[Ring Magazine Round of the Year]]. 
This was the fight in which Tyson produced what is widely regarded as the most dominant performance of his career. Many experts agree that Tyson would have been a match for any heavyweight in history on this night. Spinks, who didn't hold a belt but was regarded as the linear champion after twice beating Larry Holmes, had a perfect 31-0 record. Tyson had won 34 bouts in a row, with 30 KOs, including seven world title wins in 16 months. The fight, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, attracted enormous worldwide interest and was billed "Once and for all", meaning the winner would be recognised beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion. Tyson came out in his usual aggressive style, immediately putting Spinks on the back foot. With just over a minute gone, Tyson dropped Spinks with a right hand to the body - the first time for the former light-heavyweight champion had been down in his career. Spinks got up but was caught with another big right, this time on the chin, and counted out after one minute 31 seconds of the first round. Tyson earned a record USD 22 million for the fight, the biggest purse ever paid to a boxer at that time.

[[category:1988 Bouts|Spinks vs. Tyson]]

Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks

2007-04-28T11:42:21Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2880</fight>
[[file:0704_large.jpg|250px|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Frank Cappuccino]] 
*'''Judges:''' [[Eva Shain]], [[John Stewart]], [[Rocky Castellani]] 
*Time: 1:31 
*Weights: Spinks 212.25 lbs, Tyson 218.25 lbs
 
== Comment(s): ==
*''' 1988 - [[Ring Magazine Round of the Year]]. 
This was the fight in which Tyson produced what is widely regarded as the most dominant performance of his career. Many experts agree that Tyson would have been a match for any heavyweight in history on this night. Spinks, who didn't hold a belt but was regarded as the linear champion after twice beating Larry Holmes, had a perfect 31-0 record. Tyson had won 34 bouts in a row, with 30 KOs, including seven world title wins in 16 months. The fight, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, attracted enormous worldwide interest and was billed "Once and for all", meaning the winner would be recognised beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion. Tyson came out in his usual aggressive style, immediately putting Spinks on the back foot. With just over a minute gone, Tyson dropped Spinks with a right hand to the body - the first time for the former light-heavyweight champion had been down in his career. Spinks got up but was caught with another big right, this time on the chin, and counted out after one minute 31 seconds of the first round. Tyson earned a record USD 22 million for the fight, the biggest purse paid ever paid to a boxer at that time.

[[category:1988 Bouts|Spinks vs. Tyson]]

Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks

2007-04-28T11:41:14Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2880</fight>
[[file:0704_large.jpg|250px|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Frank Cappuccino]] 
*'''Judges:''' [[Eva Shain]], [[John Stewart]], [[Rocky Castellani]] 
*Time: 1:31 
*Weights: Spinks 212.25 lbs, Tyson 218.25 lbs
 
== Comment(s): ==
*''' 1988 - [[Ring Magazine Round of the Year]]. 
This was the fight in which Tyson produced what is widely regarded as the most dominant performance of his career. Many historians agree that Tyson would have been a match for any heavyweight in history on this night. Spinks, who didn't hold a belt but was regarded as the linear champion after twice beating Larry Holmes, had a perfect 31-0 record. Tyson had won 34 bouts in a row, with 30 KOs, including seven world title wins in 16 months. The fight, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, attracted enormous worldwide interest and was billed "Once and for all", meaning the winner would be recognised beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion. Tyson came out in his usual aggressive style, immediately putting Spinks on the back foot. With just over a minute gone, Tyson dropped Spinks with a right hand to the body - the first time for the former light-heavyweight champion had been down in his career. Spinks got up but was caught with another big right, this time on the chin, and counted out after one minute 31 seconds of the first round. Tyson earned a record USD 22 million for the fight, the biggest purse paid ever paid to a boxer at that time.

[[category:1988 Bouts|Spinks vs. Tyson]]

Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks

2007-04-28T11:40:04Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2880</fight>
[[file:0704_large.jpg|250px|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Frank Cappuccino]] 
*'''Judges:''' [[Eva Shain]], [[John Stewart]], [[Rocky Castellani]] 
*Time: 1:31 
*Weights: Spinks 212.25 lbs, Tyson 218.25 lbs
 
== Comment(s): ==
- 1988 - [[Ring Magazine Round of the Year]]. 
This was the fight in which Tyson produced what is widely regarded as the most dominant performance of his career. Many historians agree that Tyson would have been a match for any heavyweight in history on this night. Spinks, who didn't hold a belt but was regarded as the linear champion after twice beating Larry Holmes, had a perfect 31-0 record. Tyson had won 34 bouts in a row, with 30 KOs, including seven world title wins in 16 months. The fight, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, attracted enormous worldwide interest and was billed "Once and for all", meaning the winner would be recognised beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion. Tyson came out in his usual aggressive style, immediately putting Spinks on the back foot. With just over a minute gone, Tyson dropped Spinks with a right hand to the body - the first time for the former light-heavyweight champion had been down in his career. Spinks got up but was caught with another big right, this time on the chin, and counted out after one minute 31 seconds of the first round. Tyson earned a record USD 22 million for the fight, the biggest purse paid ever paid to a boxer at that time.

[[category:1988 Bouts|Spinks vs. Tyson]]

Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks

2007-04-28T11:37:37Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2880</fight>
[[file:0704_large.jpg|250px|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Frank Cappuccino]] 
*'''Judges:''' [[Eva Shain]], [[John Stewart]], [[Rocky Castellani]] 
*Time: 1:31 
*Weights: Spinks 212.25 lbs, Tyson 218.25 lbs
 
== Comment(s): ==
- 1988 - [[Ring Magazine Round of the Year]]. 
This was the fight in which Tyson produced what is widely regarded as the most dominant performance of his career. Many historians agree that Tyson would have been a match for any heavyweight in history on this night. Spinks, who didn't hold a belt but was regarded as the linear champion after twice beating Larry Holmes, had a perfect 31-0 record. Tyson had won 34 bouts in a row, with 30 KOs. The fight, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, attracted enormous worldwide interest and was billed "Once and for all", meaning the winner would be recognised beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion. Tyson came out in his usual aggressive style, immediately putting Spinks on the back foot. With just over a minute gone, Tyson dropped Spinks with a right hand to the body - the first time for the former light-heavyweight champion had been down in his career. Spinks got up but was caught with another big right, this time on the chin, and counted out after one minute 31 seconds of the first round. Tyson earned a record USD 22 million for the fight, the biggest purse paid ever paid to a boxer at that time.

[[category:1988 Bouts|Spinks vs. Tyson]]

Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks

2007-04-28T11:36:54Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2880</fight>
[[file:0704_large.jpg|250px|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Frank Cappuccino]] 
*'''Judges:''' [[Eva Shain]], [[John Stewart]], [[Rocky Castellani]] 
*Time: 1:31 
*Weights: Spinks 212.25 lbs, Tyson 218.25 lbs
 
== Comment(s): ==
- 1988 - [[Ring Magazine Round of the Year]]. 
This was the fight in which Tyson produced what is widely regarded as the most dominant performance of his career. Many historians agree that Tyson would have been a match for any heavyweight in history on this night. 
Spinks, who didn't hold a belt but was regarded as the linear champion after twice beating Larry Holmes, had a perfect 31-0 record. Tyson had won 34 bouts in a row, with 30 KOs. 
The fight, at the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, attracted enormous worldwide interest and was billed "Once and for all", meaning the winner would be recognised beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion. 
Tyson came out in his usual aggressive style, immediately putting Spinks on the back foot. With just over a minute gone, Tyson dropped Spinks with a right hand to the body - the first time for the former light-heavyweight champion had been down in his career. 
Spinks got up but was caught with another big right, this time on the chin, and counted out after one minute 31 seconds of the first round. 
Tyson earned a record USD 22 million for the fight, the biggest purse paid ever paid to a boxer at that time.

[[category:1988 Bouts|Spinks vs. Tyson]]

Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks

2007-04-28T11:33:56Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2880</fight>
[[file:0704_large.jpg|250px|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[World Boxing Association]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''[[International Boxing Federation]] Heavyweight Title''' (Tyson defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Frank Cappuccino]] 
*'''Judges:''' [[Eva Shain]], [[John Stewart]], [[Rocky Castellani]] 
*Time: 1:31 
*Weights: Spinks 212.25 lbs, Tyson 218.25 lbs
 
== Comment(s): ==
- 1988 - [[Ring Magazine Round of the Year]]. 
This was the fight in which Tyson produced what is widely regarded as the most dominant performance of his career. Many historians agree that Tyson would have been a match for any heavyweight in history on this night. Spinks, who didn't hold a belt but was regarded as the linear champion after twice beating Larry Holmes, had a perfect 31-0 record. Tyson had won 34 bouts in a row, with 30 KOs. The fight attracted enormous worldwide interest and was billed "Once and for all", meaning the winner would be recognised beyond dispute as the real heavyweight champion. Tyson came out in his usual aggressive style, immediately putting Spinks on the back foot. With just over a minute gone, Tyson dropped Spinks with a right hand to the body - the first time for the former light-heavyweight champion had been down in his career. Spinks got up but was caught with another big right, this time on the chin, and counted out after one minute 31 seconds of the first round. Tyson earned a record USD 22 million for the fight, the biggest purse paid ever paid to a boxer at that time.

[[category:1988 Bouts|Spinks vs. Tyson]]

Trevor Berbick vs. Mike Tyson

2007-04-04T18:37:33Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2179</fight>
[[file:Berbick tyson.jpg|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight title''' (Berbick defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Mills Lane]] 
*'''Judges scoring:''' [[Harry Gibbs]] (10-8), [[Dave Moretti]] (10-9), [[Rudy Ortega]] (10-9) at time of stoppage 
*Weights: Tyson 221 lbs (99,5 kg), Berbick 218½ lbs (98 kg). 
*Time: 2:35
 
== Comment(s): ==

Berbick's passing in 2006 added a touch of poignancy to the 20th anniversary of this fight. It was at the tragic Jamaican's expense that boxing history was made on 22 November 1986. 
- His conqueror was 20-year-old Mike Tyson, a rampaging throwback of a fighter from New York, who needed less than six minutes to blast his way into the record books at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.
- Tyson came into the fight essentially untested but almost universally touted as the next great heavyweight in waiting. Not since Muhammad Ali had a young fighter generated such intense interest and expectation in such a short time. A crowd of about 8,800, including films stars and celebrities, soon found out what all the fuss was about.
- After 27 straight wins, 25 by KO, Tyson was bidding to topple Floyd Patterson as the youngest heavyweight champion ever in a fight that was billed as "Judgement Day".
- It was only Tyson's second fight in Vegas in his 21-month career. In his first, 77 days earlier, he had blown out the former cruiserweight champion Alfonso Ratliff in two rounds on the same bill as Michael Spinks's easy win over Norwegian Steffen Tangstaad.
- Larry Merchant, commentating for HBO, the giant cable TV network that was running a knockout series to find an undisputed heavyweight champion, told viewers: "The key to this fight for Tyson is to be patiently aggressive and not throw himself into clinches, as he has done."
- But Tyson came out with one aim in mind: to get rid of Berbick as quickly as he could. He attacked from the start and his job was made easier when Berbick opted to stand right in front of him instead of moving.
- The writing was on the wall at the end of the first round when Tyson sent Berbick staggering backwards across the ring with a four-punch combination. Tyson tried to finish it there and then but the bell intervened. In a blatant show of bravado, Berbick poked his tongue out at Tyson as he walked back to his corner but almost everyone in the arena knew what was about to happen.
- Maybe not Berbick's trainer Angelo Dundee, who clearly still had enough faith in his man's chances to scream: "Where's the fucking sponge?"
- In the other corner, Tyson's trainer Kevin Rooney implored: "Go to the body first, then the head." But Tyson wasn't listening. A long right hand at the start of the round had Berbick rocking back on his heels, covering up, before two more left-rights sent the champion down for the first time.
- Berbick climbed straight back up and nodded at referee Mills Lane, looking more embarrassed than hurt, almost as if he had slipped on a banana skin. But he must have known then that his reign was going to be a short one.
- Tyson continued to hammer him to head and body before administering the coup de grace, a right to the body followed by a stunning left hook to the temple.
- Berbick crashed down as if his legs had been cut from beneath him. He tried vainly to get up but collapsed again near the ropes. But Berbick was proud, if nothing else. Once again, he bravely attempted to regain his footing but his legs wouldn't carry him and he fell for third time, on to his back. Berbick somehow got up again but lurched, via a turnbuckle, into the arms of Lane, who waved it off after two minutes 35 seconds of the round.
- Tyson did not celebrate. Instead, he simply shrugged and planted a kiss on the lips of co-manager Jim Jacobs. Perhaps his reaction was not surprising. In the build-up to the fight, he told one interviewer tersely: "I'll win the title as surely as Tuesday follows Monday." In the face of such conviction, Berbick truly hadn't a prayer.
- HBO analyst Sugar Ray Leonard, who was less than six months away from his fight with Marvin Hagler, said Tyson's win had left him "speechless", adding: "Mike Tyson did what Mike Tyson normally does and that's fight." Co-commentator Barry Tompkins confirmed: "Yeah, and that's with a capital F also!"
- Afterwards, Tyson told the watching millions: "My record will last for immortality. It will never be broken."
- Twenty years on, that statement is beginning to look like one of the truest things Tyson ever said.

[[Category:1986 Bouts|Tyson vs. Berbick]]

Trevor Berbick vs. Mike Tyson

2007-04-04T18:37:09Z

Righthooker: /* Comment(s): */

<fight>2179</fight>
[[file:Berbick tyson.jpg|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight title''' (Berbick defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Mills Lane]] 
*'''Judges scoring:''' [[Harry Gibbs]] (10-8), [[Dave Moretti]] (10-9), [[Rudy Ortega]] (10-9) at time of stoppage 
*Weights: Tyson 221 lbs (99,5 kg), Berbick 218½ lbs (98 kg). 
*Time: 2:35
 
== Comment(s): ==

Berbick's passing in 2006 added a touch of poignancy to the 20th anniversary of this fight. It was at the tragic Jamaican's expense that boxing history was made on 22 November 1986. 
- His conqueror was 20-year-old Mike Tyson, a rampaging throwback of a fighter from New York, who needed less than six minutes to blast his way into the record books at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.
- Tyson came into the fight essentially untested but almost universally touted as the next great heavyweight in waiting. Not since Muhammad Ali had a young fighter generated such intense interest and expectation in such a short time. A crowd of about 8,800, including films stars and celebrities, soon found out what all the fuss was about.
- After 27 straight wins, 25 by KO, Tyson was bidding to topple Floyd Patterson as the youngest heavyweight champion ever in a fight that was billed as "Judgement Day".
- It was only Tyson's second fight in Vegas in his 21-month career. In his first, 77 days earlier, he had blown out the former cruiserweight champion Alfonso Ratliff in two rounds on the same bill as Michael Spinks's easy win over Norwegian Steffen Tangstaad.
- Larry Merchant, commentating for HBO, the giant cable TV network that was running a knockout series to find an undisputed heavyweight champion, told viewers: "The key to this fight for Tyson is to be patiently aggressive and not throw himself into clinches, as he has done."
- But Tyson came out with one aim in mind: to get rid of Berbick as quickly as he could. He attacked from the start and his job was made easier when Berbick opted to stand right in front of him instead of moving.
- The writing was on the wall at the end of the first round when Tyson sent Berbick staggering backwards across the ring with a four-punch combination. Tyson tried to finish it there and then but the bell intervened. In a blatant show of bravado, Berbick poked his tongue out at Tyson as he walked back to his corner but almost everyone in the arena knew what was about to happen.
- Maybe not Berbick's trainer Angelo Dundee, who clearly still had enough faith in his man's chances to scream: "Where's the fucking sponge?"
- In the other corner, Tyson's trainer Kevin Rooney implored: "Go to the body first, then the head." But Tyson wasn't listening. A long right hand at the start of the round had Berbick rocking back on his heels, covering up, before two more left-rights sent the champion down for the first time.
- Berbick climbed straight back up and nodded at referee Mills Lane, looking more embarrassed than hurt, almost as if he had slipped on a banana skin. But he must have known then that his reign was going to be a short one.
- Tyson continued to hammer him to head and body before administering the coup de grace, a right to the body followed by a stunning left hook to the temple.
- Berbick crashed down as if his legs had been cut from beneath him. He tried vainly to get up but collapsed again near the ropes. But Berbick was proud, if nothing else. Once again, he bravely attempted to regain his footing but his legs wouldn't carry him and he fell for third time, on to his back. Berbick somehow got up again but lurched, via a turnbuckle, into the arms of Lane, who waved it off after two minutes 35 seconds of the round.
- Tyson did not celebrate. Instead, he simply shrugged and planted a kiss on the lips of co-manager Jim Jacobs. Perhaps his reaction was not surprising. In the build-up to the fight, he told one interviewer tersely: "I'll win the title as surely as Tuesday follows Monday." In the face of such conviction, Berbick truly hadn't a prayer.
- HBO analyst Sugar Ray Leonard, who was less than six months away from his fight with Marvin Hagler, said Tyson's win had left him "speechless", adding: "Mike Tyson did what Mike Tyson normally does and that's fight." Co-commentator Barry Tompkins confirmed: "Yeah, and that's with a capital F also!"
- Afterwards, Tyson told the watching millions: "My record will last for immortality. It will never be broken."
Twenty years on, that statement is beginning to look like one of the truest things Tyson ever said.

[[Category:1986 Bouts|Tyson vs. Berbick]]

Trevor Berbick vs. Mike Tyson

2007-04-03T20:50:43Z

Righthooker:

Trevor Berbick vs. Mike Tyson

2007-04-03T20:40:52Z

Righthooker:

<fight>2179</fight>
[[file:Berbick tyson.jpg|right]]
*'''[[World Boxing Council]] Heavyweight title''' (Berbick defending) 
*'''Referee:''' [[Mills Lane]] 
*'''Judges scoring:''' [[Harry Gibbs]] (10-8), [[Dave Moretti]] (10-9), [[Rudy Ortega]] (10-9) at time of stoppage 
*Weights: Tyson 221 lbs (99,5 kg), Berbick 218½ lbs (98 kg). 
*Time: 2:35
 
== Comment(s): ==
- ALTHOUGH Berbick is no longer with us, it was at the tragic Jamaican's expense that boxing history was made on 22 November 1986. His conqueror, 20-year-old Mike Tyson, a rampaging throwback of a fighter from New York, needed less than six minutes to blast his way into the record books at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel.
Tyson came into the fight essentially untested but almost universally touted as the next great heavyweight in waiting. Not since Muhammad Ali had a young fighter generated such intense interest and expectation in such a short time. A crowd of about 8,800, including films stars and celebrities, soon found out what all the fuss was about.
After 27 straight wins, 25 by KO, Tyson was bidding to topple Floyd Patterson as the youngest heavyweight champion ever in a fight that was billed as "Judgement Day".
It was only Tyson's second fight in Vegas in his 21-month career. In his first, 77 days earlier, he had blown out the former cruiserweight champion Alfonso Ratliff in two rounds on the same bill as Michael Spinks's easy win over Norwegian Steffen Tangstaad.
Larry Merchant, commentating for HBO, the giant cable TV network that was running a knockout series to find an undisputed heavyweight champion, told viewers: "The key to this fight for Tyson is to be patiently aggressive and not throw himself into clinches, as he has done."
But Tyson came out with one aim in mind: to get rid of Berbick as quickly as he could. He attacked from the start and his job was made easier when Berbick opted to stand right in front of him instead of moving.
The writing was on the wall at the end of the first round when Tyson sent Berbick staggering backwards across the ring with a four-punch combination. Tyson tried to finish it there and then but the bell intervened. In a blatant show of bravado, Berbick poked his tongue out at Tyson as he walked back to his corner but almost everyone in the arena knew what was about to happen.
Maybe not Berbick's trainer Angelo Dundee, who clearly still had enough faith in his man's chances to scream: "Where's the fucking sponge?"
In the other corner, Tyson's trainer Kevin Rooney implored: "Go to the body first, then the head." But Tyson wasn't listening. A long right hand at the start of the round had Berbick rocking back on his heels, covering up, before two more left-rights sent the champion down for the first time.
Berbick climbed straight back up and nodded at referee Mills Lane, looking more embarrassed than hurt, almost as if he had slipped on a banana skin. But he must have known then that his reign was going to be a short one.
Tyson continued to hammer him to head and body before administering the coup de grace, a right to the body followed by a stunning left hook to the temple.
Berbick crashed down as if his legs had been cut from beneath him. He tried vainly to get up but collapsed again near the ropes. But Berbick was proud, if nothing else. Once again, he bravely attempted to regain his footing but his legs wouldn't carry him and he fell for third time, on to his back. Berbick somehow got up again but lurched, via a turnbuckle, into the arms of Lane, who waved it off after two minutes 35 seconds of the round.
Tyson did not celebrate. Instead, he simply shrugged and planted a kiss on the lips of co-manager Jim Jacobs. Perhaps his reaction was not surprising. In the build-up to the fight, he told one magazine interviewer: "I'll win the title as surely as Tuesday follows Monday." In the face of such conviction, Berbick truly hadn't a prayer.
HBO analyst Sugar Ray Leonard, who was less than six months away from his fight with Marvin Hagler, said Tyson's win had left him "speechless", adding: "Mike Tyson did what Mike Tyson normally does and that's fight." Co-commentator Barry Tompkins confirmed: "Yeah, and that's with a capital F also!"
Afterwards, Tyson told the watching millions: "My record will last for immortality. It will never be broken."
More than 20 years on, that statement was looking increasingly prophetic.
[[Category:1986 Bouts|Tyson vs. Berbick]]