Mike Tyson wasn’t just undefeated by 1990; he was considered indestructible. James “Buster” Douglas was thought of as a speed bump on the road to greatness. A 42-to-1 underdog, nobody expected Douglas to survive what was expected to be a Tyson onslaught.
Those in attendance for the fight in Japan and watching around the world were in shock when the great Tyson was outgunned by Douglas. Douglas, riding a streak of six consecutive knockouts, survived an eighth-round knockdown to roar back, knocking down Tyson in the ninth and finishing him in the 10th. Tyson lost his status as undisputed champion.
Douglas’ reign didn’t last long, but the shock and awe from the win will live on forever. The loss would result in a series of downfalls for Tyson, from a prison sentence to biting Evander Holyfield’s ear.
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