The world of boxing has seen its fair share of unforgettable moments, but few can compare to the knockouts delivered by Mike Tyson, one of the greatest boxers of all time. Iron Mike's reign in the ring has dominated worldwide headlines for decades, but some instances stand out: the jaw-dropping knockouts that left opponents reeling and fans speechless. The best Mike Tyson knockouts serve as a testament to his immense power and skill.
From early-career matches that showcase glimpses of his raw potential, to swift victories during his prime years, every knockout reaffirms how he earned his reputation as an unstoppable juggernaut. The only thing that makes these hellacious knockouts all the more impressive is the legendary talent he put on the mat, including Frank Bruno, Marvis Frazier, and Trevor Berbick. Each bout showcases Tyson's ability to overpower even elite-level opposition with ease.
Disclaimer: This article was assembled with the help of generative AI tools and edited by humans.
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When: July 26, 1986
Where: Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY
Pre-Fight Record: 16-1
When He Went Down: Round 1
How Was The Fight? The fight featured Tyson, an up-and-coming young phenom with an undefeated record, against Marvis Frazier, the son of legendary former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier. Thirty seconds into the first round, Tyson knocked out Frazier with a devastating uppercut.- Photo:
When: November 22, 1986
Where: Las Vegas Hilton, NV
Pre-Fight Record: 31-4-1
When He Went Down: Round 2
How Was The Fight? The bout was a historical event as Tyson, age 20, sought to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history by defeating reigning champion Trevor Berbick. In a dominant performance, Tyson showcased his trademark power and speed, knocking down Berbick multiple times. In the second round, Tyson delivered a devastating combination that led to a knockout victory.- Photo:
When: October 16, 1987
Where: Convention Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Pre-Fight Record: 15-0
When He Went Down: Round 7
How Was The Fight? Tyson was defending his WBA and WBC titles against unbeaten former Olympic gold medalist Tyrell Biggs. In the seventh round, following several forceful sequence of punches from Tyson, the referee intervened to halt the fight, and declared Tyson victorious by technical knockout.- Photo:
When: March 18, 1991
Where: The Mirage, Paradise, NV
Pre-Fight Record: 25-1-1
When He Went Down: Round 7
How Was The Fight? Throughout the contest Tyson showcased his trademark aggression and Donovan Ruddock demonstrated his resilience. In a controversial ending during the seventh round, the referee stopped the fight after Tyson landed a series of heavy blows and declared Tyson the winner by technical knockout. The result led to heated debates about whether the stoppage was justified.- Photo:
When: February 25, 1989
Where: Las Vegas Hilton, NV
Pre-Fight Record: 32-2
When He Went Down: Round 5
How Was The Fight? Tyson fought to defend his undisputed heavyweight title against British challenger Frank Bruno. Though Bruno managed to surprise Tyson with a strong left hook initially, he eventually couldn't withstand Tyson's aggression. The contest ended when the referee intervened after a barrage of powerful combos from Tyson, resulting in Tyson winning via technical knockout.- Photo:
When: May 30, 1987
Where: Las Vegas Hilton, NV
Pre-Fight Record: 29-1-1
When He Went Down: Round 6
How Was The Fight? Tyson was defending his WBA and WBC titles against former WBC champion Pinklon Thomas, renowned for his powerful right hand. Tyson broke through Thomas's defenses, and in the sixth round, after a series of relentless combinations, the referee stopped the fight and declared Tyson the winner by technical knockout.- Photo:
When: July 21, 1989
Where: Convention Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Pre-Fight Record: 22-2
When He Went Down: Round 1
How Was The Fight? The match was billed as a significant challenge for Tyson because Carl Williams was known for his strong jab and solid skill set. However, 93 seconds into the first round, Tyson unleashed a powerful left hook that sent Williams crashing to the canvas; the referee stopped the fight and declared Tyson the winner by knockout.- Photo:
When: January 22, 1988
Where: Trump Plaza, Atlantic City, NJ
Pre-Fight Record: 48-2
When He Went Down: Round 4
How Was The Fight? Tyson relentlessly attacked Holmes with powerful punches. In the fourth round, after a series of knockdowns, the referee stopped the fight and declared Tyson the winner by technical knockout.- Photo:
9Tony Tubbs
When: March 21, 1988
Where: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Pre-Fight Record: 24-1
When He Went Down: Round 2
How Was The Fight? Tyson's first fight outside of North America attracted global attention as he squared off against former WBA heavyweight champion Tony Tubbs, who attempted to use his size advantage and skills to keep Tyson at bay. However, in the second round, Tyson landed a powerful combination that ended the fight with a knockout victory.- Photo:
10Francois Botha
When: January 16, 1999
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, NV
Pre-Fight Record: 39-1
When He Went Down: Round 5
How Was The Fight? The match marked Tyson's first fight in more than 18 months and was an opportunity for him to reestablish his presence in the heavyweight division. Francois Botha proved a worthy opponent, frustrating Tyson with his defensive tactics. In the fifth round, however, Tyson landed a right-hand punch that knocked out Botha, securing a comeback victory.- Photo:
When: June 27, 1988
Where: Convention Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Pre-Fight Record: 31-0
When He Went Down: Round 1
How Was The Fight? Just 91 seconds into the bout, after a second devastating knockdown, the referee counted Michael Spinks out, declaring Tyson the winner by knockout and solidifying his status as one of boxing's all-time greats.- Photo:
When: December 16, 1995
Where: CoreStates Spectrum, Philadelphia, PA
Pre-Fight Record: 20-0-0-2
When He Went Down: Round 3
How Was The Fight? The match was Tyson's second fight after being released from prison earlier that year. Buster Mathis attempted to dodge Tyson's blows, but in an exciting turn during the third round, Tyson struck a right-handed punch that knocked out Mathis, bringing him one step closer to reclaiming his championship title.- Photo:
When: September 6, 1986
Where: Las Vegas Hilton, NV
Pre-Fight Record: 21-3
When He Went Down: Round 2
How Was The Fight? The fight was a crucial milestone for Tyson in his journey up the heavyweight division ladder as he built an unblemished record. He took control over Alonso Ratliff from the start, and in the end, his left hand knocked Ratliff out in the second round, keeping his winning streak intact.- Photo:
When: February 22, 2003
Where: The Pyramid, Memphis, TN
Pre-Fight Record: 24-1-1
When He Went Down: Round 1
How Was The Fight? The match was crucial for Tyson as he aimed to reestablish himself in the heavyweight division following his previous loss to Lennox Lewis. Tyson knocked down Clifford Etienne just 49 seconds into the first round with a powerful right hand punch. The referee stopped the fight and declared Tyson the winner by knockout.- Photo:
When: June 24, 2000
Where: Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
Pre-Fight Record: 39-3
When He Went Down: Round 1
How Was The Fight? Tyson, seeking to reclaim the heavyweight championship after a suspension and his return to boxing in 1999, knocked Lou Savarese down in the first 10 seconds of round one. After getting caught in the scrum between the two fighters, the referee called off the fight 38 seconds into that initial round, announcing Tyson as the winner via technical knockout. It remains one of the quickest victories of Tyson's career.
