Today is the 20th anniversary of James “Buster” Douglas victory over “Iron” Mike Tyson. This was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport. At the time, Tyson was viewed as an unstoppable force that mauled most of his opponents with dynamic power and fierce determination. Douglas, on the other hand, was seen as an extremely talented pugilist that was too lazy to get his sh*t together. So many things changed leading up to the fight in Tokyo on February 11, 1990.
On Douglas’ side, he finally found the motivation he needed when his mother past away weeks before the fight. He used the tragedy to get in the best shape of his career (and the best shape he’d ever be in). Douglas had all the physical tools and the right punches to beat Tyson. He was much taller and had a greater reach than his foe, which he used to establish a rocking jab. Tyson was also susceptible to uppercuts, which Douglas used to nail Tyson. None of that would have happened if Douglas hadn’t gotten into shape. It all culminated in a beautiful moment in sports television when Douglas broke down crying, overcome with emotion from winning the championship for his late mother.
On Tyson’s side, arrogance played a part in his defeat. He started believing his own hype and barely trained for the fight. He forgot all those lessons taught to him by the great trainers Cus D’Amato and Teddy Atlas (and the not quite great Kevin Rooney). It was even amateur hour in Tyson’s corner; his “cutman” used what looked like a condom filled with ice water to control Tyson’s facial swelling. Any cutman worth a damn uses an enswell. Perhaps Tyson completely dismissed the notion of his face getting busted up by Douglas. Perhaps his cornermen were lackeys pretending to be professional boxing trainers. It was probably both.
Legendary promoter Don King added some controversy after the fight…or should I say bullsh*t controversy. King claimed that the fight should be a no-contest because the referee took too long to count to ten when Douglas was knocked down. It’s true that the count was slow, but if you’ve seen the fight then you know that Douglas wasn’t in any danger of being knocked out. He was complete aware and followed the referee’s instructions (like a fighter is supposed to). Seconds after he hit the canvas, he even pounded his fist to the ground, angry at the mistake he just made. King tried to hold up the title change and had the fighters’ money frozen in a lame attempt to keep the title around Tyson.
I was in high school when the fight happened and it was on pretty late. I remember running up to my parents’ room to tell them that Mike Tyson lost. I’m pretty sure they were mildly annoyed that I woke them up. I even remember the local television guide listing the fight as (I’m paraphrasing), “The latest Mike Tyson slaughter will be like all the rest, only this one will take place in Tokyo.” It was truly one of the most memorable sporting events I’ve ever seen and certainly the biggest boxing upset of my lifetime. It’s just fun to reminisce. It’s also crazy that it was 20 years ago. Whoa (like Joey from Blossom).
Do you remember the Douglas/Tyson fight? I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
I was in 3rd grade when this happened…I was so broken hearted.
yes Rpad, i remember this fight but i was still in jr high when i saw it. I remember bits and pieces of it live. I couldn't believe that Tyson was beaten so badly by that guy. It was a day a hero went down for me. I couldn't believe the guy from Punch Out was beat.
Yeah, I should have said that I woke up my parents because I thought I just witnessed the impossible.
I forget what grade I was in, but I was pretty young and spending the night at a friend's house. Both my friend and I fell asleep watching the fight. We woke up in the morning asking each other if we had seen the end of the fight… we both automatically assumed Tyson won.
It wasn't until later that day that my dad asked me if I saw it. I was all "yeah, yeah, Tyson knocked him out after I fell asleep"…. He gave me a look and shook his head. "No… Tyson didn't lose to that bum?" He kept the same look yet nodded this time with a smile. "You're lying to mess with me dad!" I declared. He shook his head. "Prove it!" I shouted in disbelief.
He showed me the newspaper and I still didn't believe it. I was shocked and couldn't stop thinking about how Buster Douglas probably kept listening to that DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince song on blast for weeks.
After I convinced myself that Tyson had indeed been beaten, my very next thought was "Well, Holyfield is DEFINITELY gonna kick this dude's ass."
@N8R If Douglas laid off the chicken necks and trained properly, he probably would have beaten Holyfield. Unfortunately for Douglas, he was never motivated to fight again.
@Ray
I never considered Douglas a good fighter though. I always thought Tyson pulled an Apollo Creed and didn't take him seriously enough.
I think Lennox Lewis would have destroyed Douglas if that ever could have happened.
@rpad
isn't how it goes with all boxers. Once the money, the girls, and the reputation are there, that boxer is done and thinks they can live off their prior accomplishments for the rest of their life. Everyone needs an Apollo Creed to help you get that eye of a tiger back.
It looks like Holyfield is at it again!
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/stor…
a bit before my time but I have seen it once, amazing fight
@ Smartguy
I get so crossed when it comes to Lewis vs Tyson in their primes. I too tend to favor Lewis, but young Mike was truly a monster.
They did fight though, and I got some money because of it that night. For some reason, I was one of 2 people that knew Lennox would beat an old, broken down, post-incarcerated Tyson.
I cleared about $250 off of everyone I worked with.
@Smartguy Douglas had tremendous physical gifts. He was just too lazy to put it all together except for one fight. Aside from Tyson, he beat three other fighters that would eventually become heavyweight champions. He was certainly a top-rate talent, but he was just lazy.
@tokz_21That's true in many cases, but a lot of champions can keep it together for a few title defenses. Douglas only brought his A-game for one fight.
@ amendment to #10
one of 2 people *that I worked with*.
@N8R Ha! I actually remember that from an interview. He said that one of his favorite foods was fried chicken necks. That can't possibly be good a world class athlete.
@ R Pad
Ohh… my bad, I was thinking of the other kind of chicken necks.
(my mind is in the gutter today apparently)
haha @ n8r. I think n8r was thinking about chicken heads. He was probably getting those too while eating chicken necks.
@N8R
I think Tyson could take Lewis. Aside from Frazier, and maybe Ali…I don't other boxers could have taken Tyson out in their prime. Tyson was a monster.
@Smartguy I completely disagree. Lewis was too big and long for Tyson. Ali was too fast and jabbed too well. Frazier's aggressive style would actually work in Tyson's favor.
@Ray
Fun to debate. Tyson had that "it" factor. He was more than just a brawler. Just raw talent. I think Lewis would have fell to Tyson. SPinks was supposed to be good competition….lol.
@Smartguy Tyson wasn't raw by any means. Under D'Amato, Atlas, and Rooney, he had fantastic head movement for a heavyweight and was tough to hit. His footwork was also superior. Lewis had a brilliant jab and I don't see how Tyson could get in range.
@Ray
I didn't mean he was in the ring without proper training.
I really would have liked to see those two guys fight in their primes. It would have been great. Lewis had the range, but Tyson had a great set of intangibles. Hard for me to pick a winner. Head says Lewis, heart says Tyson.
@Smartguy Yes, but there's this perception — especially from casual fans — that Tyson was just offense. That's definitely not the case. His upper-body movement was extraordinary for a heavyweight. Check out this video of his old training sessions:
@Ray
Most definitely. Most people overlook the skills he possessed in addition to his unmatched power.
Dude literally great story, and well done. I remember almost everything about this fight, right down to watching with my Dad and friends, peep: http://yallkiltit.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/mike-t…
@ R Pad
Oh yeah… you said “chicken necks” (Butthead laugh).
@Ray
This thread is really making me miss the days of the heavyweight bouts. I really wish boxing would become big in the US again.
@Smartguy Yeah, I'd love that too, but I don't see it happening. The sport has too many stupid problems and is too expensive to follow.
Updated this story with a great ESPN video. Check it out!
@Ray
yeah, longing for yesteryear is all it is. seriously though, the old heavyweight bouts were so awesome! i love watching pacquiao, but not as much as the heavyweights. damnit.
@Ray
Watched some old vids of him today…kinda reminds me of Pacquiao. Once he gets an opening he's so fast and hits so hard. Manny lands more hits, but Tyson didn't need to land as many. Odd comparison I know between the two weight classes, but I see some similarity in between the two. What do you think?
pretty good video.
@rpad
did you know that tyson was in dancing with the stars the paisan edition
@tokz_2 Wow, I did not know that. His lift was totally weak.
@rpad.
I can't believe those judges were praising tyson on his great dancing skills and presence. He was sweating and looked to be out of sync with the dancer he was paired up with. Those paisans are probably scared that he will eat their children.
@tokz_21 Would you tell Tyson that he sucked?
@rpad
no! i was terrified just shaking that man's hand and taking a pic with him!
All I know is the confused look on Tyson’s face at the VGA’s when he was paired up as a presenter with the cast of Jersey Shore was priceless.