5. “Iron” Mike Tyson 50-6 (2 NC), 44 KOs
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Born in Brooklyn, NY in 1966, Mike Tyson’s life began as so many others born into poverty. When he was 10, Tyson moved to Brownsville with his mother and two siblings where he ran the streets and learned the thug life. By the time Tyson was 13 he had been arrested 38 times. He had a gentile side, which manifested itself with his love for raising pigeons which he did in makeshift pens on a New York roof top. This is where the legend of Tyson began when an older boy ripped the head off of one of his prized birds and Tyson beat him down in return.
After a successful amateur career Tyson turned professional in 1985 at the tender age of 18 with a first-round stoppage of Hector Mercedes. This began one of the most torrid, violent ascensions to the championship throne in history. Tyson reeled off 19 knockouts in as many fights with 12 in the first round before finally settling for a 10-round decision against veteran James “Quick” Tillis.
Tyson’s freneticc work rate, incredible hand speed and calamitous power cut through the field of contenders like a scythe laying waste to a wheat field. Under the tutelage of legendary trainer Cus D’Amato, Tyson entered the ring for a title shot in 1986. WBC Champion Trevor Berbick was a game veteran but simply overwhelmed by the irresistible force known as Tyson and was destroyed in two rounds making “Iron” Mike the youngest heavyweight champion at age 20.
Tyson added the IBF and WBA scalps to his saddle and was headed on a collision course with all-time great Light Heavyweight and Larry Holmes conqueror, Michael Spinks. It was a battle of undefeated champions and some were speculating it could be a reincarnation of the Ali-Frazier rivalry though that was a case of wishful thinking.
Tyson delivered a terrified Spinks his first career knockdown courtesy of a crushing body shot along the ropes just over a minute into Round 1. After gamely getting to his feet Spinks was immediately cratered by an atomic uppercut by Tyson ending the fight at the 91 second mark.
Mired by substance abuse problems that were later revealed and without the guidance of the deceased D’Amato, Tyson was stopped in a shocking upset by 48 to 1 underdog James “Buster” Douglas. Following that bout the wheels began to come off the Tyson express train. He became ensnared in issues both marital and legal.
Though Tyson continued his self-destructive lifestyle which began to show effects in the ring, he still wielded jolting, one-punch power that continued to thrill audiences. Such was the ferocity of Tyson that he garnered huge paydays and media attention that covered every moment of his rampaging meltdowns and expletive-filled orations. While he was never the same against elite competition the very name Tyson elicited excitement among fans worldwide who knew the fight could change with one shot.
