Heavyweight legend Mike Tyson has delivered jaw-dropping knockouts to some elite talent over the years.
With 44 of his 50 wins coming by way of knockout, Tyson was no stranger to a finish inside the ring. As one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, ‘Iron Mike’ was able to put away the likes of Frank Bruno, Michael Spinks, and Larry Holmes.
Competing in 2024 against Jake Paul, Tyson stepped in the ring almost 40 years after making his professional debut.
However, when Tyson started his career with a vicious knockout streak, he met the son of one of the best heavyweight champions ever.
Mike Tyson took on Joe Frazier’s son in 1986
After 24 professional fights and wins, 20-year-old Tyson would be paired up with the son of former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, Marvis Frazier, in 1986.
Joe Frazier’s last bout had come four years prior, however, his son was a 16-1 professional when he met Tyson for the first time. Marvis’s only professional loss was to Larry Holmes in 1983.
Marvis Frazier would fight Tyson in New York at 25 years old. However, being the older fighter would be of no help to ‘Little Smoke’ in the bout.
At just the 30-second mark of the fight, the bout would be stopped. An aggressive Tyson would start by throwing huge punches at Frazier. As an uppercut connected on the chin of Frazier, Tyson’s follow-up punches would put the fighter unconscious.
Frazier would fight just three more times in his career after the fight, winning all of his outings.
Mike Tyson would become world champion in his 13th fight of 1986
Remarkably, Tyson’s outing against Frazier in July 1986 was the 10th fight of the calendar year for ‘Iron Mike’. Fighting two more times in August and September, Tyson would earn a world title opportunity.
Facing world champion Trevor Berbick, Tyson was able to add another knockout to his career. Finishing the title-holder in the second round, Tyson became the youngest-ever heavyweight champion.
The win made Tyson a champion at the age of 20, just over two-and-a-half years after making his professional debut.
He would maintain his champion status until Tyson had a shock loss to James ‘Buster’ Douglas in 1990.