Tyson vs. Douglas: 25th Anniversary

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 10, 2015

Tyson vs. Douglas: 25th Anniversary

"Unbelievable!"

That was how Sugar Ray Leonard, commenting on HBO, summed up 42-1 underdog Buster Douglas's KO of Mike Tyson on Feb. 11, 1990, at the Tokyo Dome. SI's cover brought that feeling home.

Who's Next?

Mike Tyson was just 23 and undefeated in 37 fights when he signed to defend his unified heavyweight title against lightly regarded James "Buster" Douglas. Even as the two posed at this press conference announcing their bout, most boxing fans were already looking forward to a hoped-for Tyson match-up with Evander Holyfield.

King's Men

Promoter Don King, who had gained control over Tyson's career two years earlier, stood between the clearly uninterested champ and his sharply dressed challenger at a news conference in Tokyo, three days before the fight. Most of the press on hand figured it would be Buster's one moment in the limelight.

The Unexpected

Once the fight started, it was clear that this was not the same Mike Tyson who had destroyed Michael Spinks just 18 months before. At 220½ pounds he looked heavy and less mobile. Douglas, meanwhile, looked better and more focused than ever as he stung Tyson repeatedly with a thudding jab.

Fulla Buster

Mike-Tyson-Buster-Douglas(3).jpg — Sadayuki Mikami/AP

The 29-year-old Douglas, just 29-4-1, produced a career effort when it counted most. Still shaken by the death of his mother, Lula Pearl, just 23 days earlier, he showed no fear of Tyson, and by the middle rounds it was clear the champion was taking punishment.

In a Corner

As he waited to come out for the seventh round, Tyson no longer looked like the Baddest Man on the Planet, merely a badly battered one. His inexperienced cornermen, including Aaron Snowell (left) seemed ill-equipped to help their fighter.

Crunch Time

It was a moment that defied the accepted wisdom about both men—that the bully Tyson, once backed down, would give up and quit trying to win, and that Douglas would fold when the going got tough. Round 8: Tyson, bruised and tiring, produced a decidedly resolute right uppercut that dropped Douglas. And Douglas, on the canvas with every excuse to stay there, pulled himself together and just beat the count of referee Octavio Meyran. It would be his night after all.

Down...

After rocking Tyson badly in the previous round, Douglas unleashed a thunderous combination in the 10th that drove the champion to the canvas, shocking fans in the Tokyo Dome and boxing fans around the world.

...And Out

Buster-Douglas-Mike-Tyson(2).jpg — Sadayuki Mikami/AP

His seemingly impossible task done, Douglas stood over the stunned Tyson, who was about to be counted out, sealing the greatest upset in boxing history.

Meet the New Boss

Not the same as the old boss. With his manager, John Johnson, beside him, Douglas—the pride of Columbus, Ohio, and the new heavyweight champion of the world—waved in joy, and perhaps disbelief, to the cheering crowd.