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Ranking Mike Tyson’s Most Intimidating Moments
Mike Tyson. Photo via Instagram (@miketyson)
The greatest heavyweight of all time or never as good as what was suggested?
When Mike Tyson emerged on the boxing scene in the 80’s he was the scariest heavyweight since Sonny Liston’s haydays. As his victims racked up, he turned into perhaps the most feared boxer to ever step into the ring.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most intimidating moments of Tyson’s career!
7. Mike Tyson vs. the LVMPD
In the aftermath of the ”ear-biting scandal”, a group of wary officers from the Las Vegas police tried to restrain Mike Tyson to reach his rival Evander Holyfield in the ring at the MGM Grand Hotel.
To see the police officers trying to fend off a furious and pumped up ”Iron Mike” is like watching a car crash.
The infamous bout, which took place on June 28, 1997, would see Tyson disqualified and lose his boxing license for his inappropriate behavior.
6. The obliteration of Marvis Frazier
30 seconds after the first bell, referee Joe Cortez waved the fight off. In that time, Mike Tyson put Marvis Fraizer into a defenseless pile of meat with a right uppercut followed up by a barrage of punches.
Tyson was 20 at the time, but to this day the performance is one of the most violent of his career.
5. Mike Tyson was nearly unhittable
In his prime, Mike Tyson’s defence was something out of this world.
In fact, his punching power, combined that he was so hard to hit, scared the living hell out of many of his opponents.
His trademark peek-a-boo style, where he used slips, rolls and explosive footwork, is perhaps shown best in this legendary sequence where he dodges a barrage of punches before he lands a devastating left hook.
4. THE Ring Walk
Mike Tyson arguably already defeated Michael Spinks when he walked out to the ring on June 27, 1988.
Spinks absolutely looked terrified when the Convention Hall in Atlantic City was filled with creepy noise as Tyson and his entourage entered the stage.
”Everything that Tyson does is intimidating,” the commentator said about the entrance. ”The electricity in this crowd is awesome.”
3. Stopping Trevor Berbick
A right hook to the body – a right uppercut to the head – a left hook to the head.
When ”Iron Mike” stopped Trevor Berbick it was as iconic of a scene as any in the history of heavyweight boxing.
The win marked the emergence of Mike Tyson as a global sports icon and a dominant force in the heavyweight division.
2. Terrifying post-fight Speech
Three fights into his comeback, Mike Tyson defeated Lou Savarese in just 38 seconds. Afterwards he delivered a speech that is just as motivational as it is terrifying.
”I trained probably, two weeks or three weeks for this for this fight. I had to bury my best friend, and I dedicate this fight – I wasn’t going to fight – I dedicate this fight to him. I was gonna rip his heart out, I’m the best ever. I’m the most brutal and vicious and most ruthless champion there’s ever been, there’s no one can stop me. Lennox is a conqueror? No, I’m Alexander – he’s no Alexander. I’m the best ever. There’s never been anybody as ruthless. I’m Sonny Liston, I’m Jack Dempsey, there’s no one like – I’m from their cloth. There’s no one that can match me. My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, and I’m just ferocious. I want your heart, I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah.”
1. Knocking out Michael Spinks
The fight between Mike Tyson and Michael Spinks on June 27, 1988, is one of the most famous bouts in boxing history. It was billed as ”Once and For All,” a showdown between two undefeated heavyweight champions.
The skilled and intelligent Spinks had a record of 31-0 with 21 knockouts and originally made his name as the undisputed light heavyweight champion.
Many experts, including the likes of Muhammad Ali and Ray Leonard, picked him to beat Tyson. However, the fight lasted just 91 seconds, making it one of the shortest heavyweight championship bouts in history.
Tyson landed a powerful right to the body, followed by a right uppercut that sent his opponent to the canvas for the first time in his career. Although Spinks managed to get up, ”Iron Mike” immediately threw a barrage of punches, ending with a devastating right hand that knocked Spinks out cold.
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