Mike Tyson is known worldwide for his vicious knockout power and his 1989 finish might be one of his most terrifying highlights.
Tyson’s boxing career at his peak was considered must-see television for any sports fan. A true fighter, Tyson was turned into a savage by his boxing trainer.
Despite having a relatively short stature for heavyweight, Tyson was able to put down some of the best fighters of his era. Thanks to his high-profile wins, Tyson is considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
One of the hardest punchers to step in the ring, Tyson’s first-round knockout win in 1989 would end up being a significant milestone for the fighter.
- READ MORE: Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, and Evander Holyfield ranked by heavyweight icon from the same era
Mike Tyson finished Carl Williams in under two minutes in 1989
Tyson became the youngest-ever heavyweight champion in boxing history in 1986, aged just 20. Not only did he create a record that may never be broken, but he also did it before the third round even started.
His win in 1986 over Trevor Berbick would start what was a successful title reign for Tyson.
On his 9th fight since winning the belt, Tyson would face Carl Williams, who had a record of 22-2 going into the bout.
Squaring off in Atlantic City, it did not take Tyson long to add a highlight to his already incredible career. A thunderous left hook struck Williams after Tyson slipped a jab, spelling the end of the night for the title challenger.
The win over Williams would extend Tyson’s professional record to a remarkable 37-0, with 33 of those victories coming by knockout. Remarkably, Tyson was still aged just 23 with this incredible record.
Buster Douglas snapped Mike Tyson’s winning streak
After his incredible knockout of Williams, Tyson would next face James ‘Buster’ Douglas. With a record of 28-4-1, many felt as if this would result in another highlight reel knockout for Tyson.
However, Douglas would incredibly be the first man to ever make Tyson taste defeat.
As Tyson aimed to defend his IBF and WBC World Heavyweight titles, Douglas would pull off one of boxing’s greatest upsets in Tokyo with an incredible performance.
With both men slugging it out throughout the fight, an uppercut from Tyson would see Douglas hit the canvas at the end of the eighth round.
However, Douglas would recover from the knockdown and caused one of the biggest upsets in boxing history in round 10.
Catching Tyson with several clean shots, it would eventually be a powerful left hand from Douglas that put the champion down and out.
Douglas would go on to lose his next bout to Evander Holyfield, getting knocked out in round three, and would never reclaim the world title.
Tyson and Douglas would never meet for a second time.