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On This Day 27 Years Ago: Buster Douglas KO's Mike Tyson

On This Day 27 Years Ago: Buster Douglas KO's Mike Tyson

Douglas produces the biggest upset in boxing history...

Kieran Spratt

Kieran Spratt

Mike Tyson was undefeated, seemingly invincible as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world was gearing up for his 1990 clash with James 'Buster' Douglas in Tokyo.

If that wasn't enough of an obstacle for the challenger to overcome, Douglas' training camp was derailed by the news of his mother's death and he would enter the ring as a massive 42-1 underdog.

Only one casino would accept bets on the fight because of the gulf in odds between the fighters.

The fight was seen as nothing more than a routine defence for the so-called "Baddest Man On The Planet" but a combination of a lack of preparation, a degree of complacency and a now fully motivated Douglas resulted in one of the biggest upsets in sporting history.

(Douglas waves his gloved hand to the cheering crowd in Tokyo.)

From the get go Douglas dominated the fight, jabbing menacingly and had managed to close a bewildered Tyson's left eye by the fifth.

It wasn't a straightforward victory for the Ohio journeyman however, and Douglas had to dig deep to survive an eighth round knockdown.

Many of Tyson's opponents would have crumbled after that but in the the tenth, Iron Mike's aura of invincibility was shattered when Douglas unleashed a brutal uppercut and followed it up with four punches that left the champion crumpled on the canvas for the first time in his career.

(Tyson is floored by challenger Douglas in the tenth round.)

A barely conscious Mike Tyson scrambling around the deck trying to find and re-insert his lost gum shield is one of the most iconic images that remains from that night in Japan.

Douglas would later say he used the grief of losing his mother to focus on beating Tyson and he dedicated his monumental win to her.

An unforgettable night which is etched into the sports illustrious history!

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Mike Tyson, Boxing