- MIKE TYSON
Years active: 1985-91; 1995-2005
Record: 50-6 (44 KOs)
Championship reign(s):
Biggest victories: Tony Tucker, Tyrell Biggs, Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks, Frank Bruno (twice), Donovan Ruddock (twice)
Biggest losses: Buster Douglas, Evander Holyfield (twice), Lennox Lewis
Background: “Iron Mike” was a meteor that smashed into earth. As a teenager, the super quick, power-punching marvel knocked out one poor soul after the other as millions watched in awe on TV. Then, at 20, he became the youngest ever to win the heavyweight championship when he blew out Trevor Berbick in two rounds in in November 1986. Tyson successfully defended his title nine times, including arguably his most spectacular victory – a 91-second KO of Michael Spinks in a title-unification bout. Tyson seemed unbeatable. Then came one of the greatest upsets in history, Buster Douglas’ 10th-round knockout in Tokyo that cost Tyson his titles and aura of invincibility at only 23 years old. Tyson would soon leave boxing for a time after he was convicted on rape charges but he wasn’t finished. He returned in 1995 and regained two titles with knockouts of Frank Bruno and Bruce Seldon. A meeting with Evander Holyfield was next. “The Real Deal” was as much as a 25-1 underdog yet stopped Tyson in 11 rounds. The ear-biting fight followed that. And Tyson never again was the force of nature he had been.
The next five (in alphabetical order): Ezzard Charles, Riddick Bowe, Vitali Klitschko, Sonny Liston and Ken Norton.