Mike Tyson made his official debut on 06.03.1985 versus Hector Mercedes. After an easy win, he continued with his outstanding performance against his other opponents, winning all 16 fights by KO, 12 in the first round alone! Tyson demonstrated various types of knockouts during these first fights but still needed something more challenging. This challenge was found in Jesse Ferguson. In this match Mike’s stamina was tested as he went 6 rounds, breaking Ferguson’s nose with one of his trademark combinations – right uppercut to the left side of the ribcage, followed by another one to the chin.
But on 4th November, 1985 his long-life mentor, trainer and adopter Cus D’Amato died, leaving hopes that Mike would become the youngest Heavyweight Champion of the world and saying his famous quote:
"The hero and the coward both feel the same thing, but the hero projects his fear onto his opponent while the coward runs. 'Fear'. It's the same thing, but it's what you do with it that matters".
Tyson went the full distance for the first time against James Tillis and Mitch ‘Blood’ Green, who were made to look ridiculous, overpowered and outclassed by a young 19 year-old boy. Marvis Frazier, son of Joe Frazier, didn’t stand a chance against Kid Dynamite and fell unconscious after a devastating combination by Mike. Tyson’s reputation grew and soon came the day of his entire life so far.
It was the night of 22nd November, 1986. Mike Tyson was squared off against the 32 year-old Trevor Berbick, hoping to become the youngest Heavyweight Champion ever at the age of just 20 years and 4 months.
Trevor made the fatal mistake to try and fight face to face against Kid Dynamite. After receiving some devastating combinations from Tyson, Berbick tried to change his tactic, but it was too late. Mike continued loading Trevor with lefts and rights and effectively rocked the champion at the end of the first round with a perfect combination. Berbick however didn’t go down in the first. What didn’t happen in round №1, happened seconds after the bell to start round №2. Mike Tyson brought the champion down with a hard combo to the head. Trevor got up relatively quick.
With 50 seconds remaining in round №2, Kid Dynamite hit Berbick with a light left hook, which was enough to drop the champ. Trevor wanted to get up but his legs wouldn’t let him, resulting him to stand up, stagger and fall 2 times until Mills Lane counted him out.
There it was – Michael Tyson became the youngest Heavyweight Champion of all times, an achievement that not even the great Ali, Foreman and Frazier have ever made!
But ‘Iron’ Mike wasn’t over. He wanted to be the first to unify all three titles – WBA, WBC and IBF. One down, two to go…
The date was 7th March, 1987. ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson continued his quest against James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith. Kid Dynamite not only was the faster fighter, but also completely overpowered and outclassed Smith, who looked slow and frustrated on the ring, as Mike hit him with several hard shots. Mike won the fight by a majority decision with a huge difference in points, proving his great level of stamina. Only one question needed an answer – his chin.
Tyson’s first defense was against former champion Pinklon Thomas. The WBA and WBC were on the line as Mike destroyed Pinklon in the first two rounds and continued to dominate him throughout the next four. In the 6th Kid Dynamite squashed Thomas like an annoying insect via a 15 punch combination.
In the final challenge of his goal, Michael Gerard Tyson was squared off against Tony Tucker for the IBF. Kid Dynamite not only won the fight but also proved that he could take as much punches as he wanted.
‘Iron’ Mike Tyson was almost at his peak. He had completed his goal and wrote his name with golden letters onto the boxing timeline.
