Mike Tyson, also known as “Iron Mike,” is one of the most iconic and successful boxers in history. During his prime, Tyson was widely considered to be one of the most fearsome and dominant heavyweight boxers of all time. However, despite his impressive record and numerous victories, Tyson suffered a number of defeats over the course of his career. In this answer, I will discuss the boxers who defeated Tyson and provide some background information on each fight.
- James “Buster” Douglas
One of the biggest upsets in boxing history occurred on February 11, 1990, when Tyson faced off against James “Buster” Douglas in Tokyo, Japan. Tyson entered the fight as the overwhelming favorite, with many bookmakers offering odds of 42-to-1 in his favor. However, Douglas put on a stunning performance and knocked out Tyson in the 10th round to win the fight and become the new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.
The fight was notable for a number of reasons. For one, Tyson was coming off a string of impressive victories, including a first-round knockout of Carl “The Truth” Williams just a few months prior. Additionally, Tyson had recently suffered the death of his mentor and trainer, Cus D’Amato, which some speculated may have affected his performance in the ring.
Despite the odds against him, Douglas put on a masterful performance, using his superior reach and footwork to keep Tyson at bay. In the 10th round, Douglas landed a powerful uppercut that sent Tyson crashing to the canvas, and the referee counted him out. The victory was considered one of the greatest upsets in boxing history, and Douglas became an instant celebrity overnight.
- Evander Holyfield
Tyson faced off against Evander Holyfield on two separate occasions, with Holyfield emerging victorious both times. The first fight took place on November 9, 1996, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and was for the WBA heavyweight title. Holyfield entered the fight as the underdog, but he put on a dominant performance, using his superior footwork and head movement to frustrate Tyson and keep him from landing any significant blows.
In the 11th round, Holyfield landed a series of punches that sent Tyson stumbling to the canvas, and the referee stopped the fight. The victory was a major upset, and Holyfield became the new heavyweight champion of the world.
The two boxers faced off again on June 28, 1997, in a highly anticipated rematch. Tyson was determined to avenge his earlier defeat, but once again, Holyfield proved to be too much for him. In the third round, Holyfield landed a headbutt that opened a cut above Tyson’s eye, and Tyson responded by biting off a piece of Holyfield’s ear. The referee stopped the fight, and Tyson was disqualified.
The fight was marred by controversy, and Tyson was widely criticized for his unsportsmanlike conduct. Holyfield emerged from the fight with his reputation intact, and he would go on to become one of the greatest boxers of all time.
- Lennox Lewis
Tyson faced off against Lennox Lewis on June 8, 2002, in Memphis, Tennessee, in what was billed as the “Fight of the Millennium.” Lewis entered the fight as the favorite, and he proved to be too much for Tyson to handle. Lewis used his superior height and reach to keep Tyson at bay, and he landed a number of powerful punches that left Tyson reeling.