After his fifth round stoppage of Frank Bruno on February 25, 1989, Mike Tyson returned to the ring five months later on July 21st, to face Carl ‘The Truth’ Williams at Atlantic City Convention Hall. I took that Saturday night off from my part-time security job at a local mall, then drove to my sister’s apartment to watch and tape the fight on HBO. Even though I was rooting hard for Williams, I knew he didn’t have the best chin in the world, and the odds for an upset were highly against him.
It wasn’t long into the first round that my fears came true. A left hook deposited Williams on his trunks a little past the one minute mark, and I said to myself “Here we go again!” Even though Carl got up and looked okay enough to continue, referee Randy Neumann stopped the bout at the 93 second mark. Despite Williams’ vehement protest in his post fight interview with Larry Merchant, another one round knockout for Tyson was in the books.
Every time he fought, I liked Tyson less and less, and was forced to read the boxing magazines exalt him as if he were a ‘King’. Tyson stayed inactive the remainder of 1989, then signed to fight underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas on February 10, 1990 in Tokyo, Japan. Douglas had the reputation of a ‘Dog’, would underperform in bouts, and quit on occasion as well. Don King saw him as easy prey for Tyson, and figured Douglas had no chance at all to win.
Only one casino in Vegas posted odds on the bout, and listed Tyson as a 42-1 underdog. Just before I left my house to watch the fight on HBO over my sister’s apartment, I said to my mom, “I’m gonna bring a tape mom, because you never know what might happen.” After popping the blank tape into the VCR, I watched HBO’s always outstanding pre-fight build-up explain Douglas’ motivation for this bout, and how his mother’s death had galvanized him, and made him want to win the title for her. He certainly appeared fit as the first round began, and I sat tight to watch what unfolded.
Shockingly, Douglas was quick, and landing sharp jabs and crosses right off the bat. He also appeared to be totally unafraid of Tyson, and serious about wanting to win. When he continued to impress and put rounds in the bank, I called my sister who was in her bedroom to “Come watch this Lisa. You might like it!” She had nothing but distain for Tyson, and when the fifth round began, I had a partner cheering Buster on.
Tyson appeared slow and uninterested, and continued to lose rounds. Out of nowhere, a tremendous right uppercut dropped Douglas late in the 8th round, but James got up at the count of 9, and was able to continue. Critics who said there was a long-count should have their heads examined. Look at the tape from the fight. Referee Octavio Meyran did a perfect job, and made the right call.
Douglas came out punching with fury in the ninth, proving he was fine, and hurt Tyson badly along the ropes. In the 10th round, a tremendous 4-punch combination put Tyson on his back, and looking for his mouthpiece. It was unbelievable to watch live, and remains one of my favorite all-time knockouts to this day. The next morning, I had a great time bragging about Tyson getting knocked out to the guys I worked with, and viewed Tyson as invincible. Despite Don King’s attempts to nullify Douglas’ victory on some fictitious long-count crap, James kept his belts and returned to America the new champion, and a hero to millions.
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