Mike Tyson won 44 of his 56 fights by knockout. In fact, of these knockouts he got 27 in his first 28 fights. During this temporary interval only Mitch ‘Blood’ Green, with whom ‘Iron Mike’ would later have a tremendous street fight in which he broke his hand and thought he had killed his ‘enemy’, had withstood the agreed 10 rounds.
In his 26th fight, he faced his toughest opponent, Jose Ribalta, whom he also defeated right at the death. In the 28th he faced Trevor Berbick, at which time Tyson was proclaimed heavyweight champion of the world at the age of 20. In his first title defense, James Smith held out for 12 rounds against him.
Mike Tyson won 44 of his 56 fights by knockout. In fact, of these knockouts he got 27 in his first 28 fights. During this temporary interval only Mitch ‘Blood’ Green, with whom ‘Iron Mike’ would later have a tremendous street fight in which he broke his hand and thought he had killed his ‘enemy’, had withstood the agreed 10 rounds.
In his 26th fight, he faced his toughest opponent, Jose Ribalta, whom he also defeated right at the death. In the 28th he faced Trevor Berbick, at which time Tyson was proclaimed heavyweight champion of the world at the age of 20. In his first title defense, James Smith held out for 12 rounds against him.
A few days ago, Tyson revealed on ESPN what his own favorite KO is. It took place in 1987, right after he fought Smith. It was the one he inflicted on Pinklon Thomas after landing a series of hard punches to his face: “The one on Pinklon Thomas. Because I hit him with 15 or 16 punches to the chin to knock him down. He took tremendous punishment.”
Thomas at the time was considered a good boxer and no one had ever knocked him out (record: 29-1-1), although in theory he was not in the same league as a Tyson or Tony Tucker.
He almost went down in the first round, but he held on and was able to withstand ‘Iron Mike’ for a few rounds largely thanks to his good left jab. He eventually succumbed, like so many others.