Knockout king Mike Tyson has a lengthy catalogue of terrifying stoppages. Across almost 60 fights, ‘Iron Mike’ has an 88% knockout rate.
From Tyson’s knockout over Trevor Berbick to Michael Spinks, even the most elite fighters have fallen to the American’s stopping power.
The last stoppage victory of his career came against Clifford Etienne, where Tyson earned a finish thanks to a punch corrected by Freddie Roach.
However, in his last stoppage win as a champion, Tyson set up a huge heavyweight rivalry.
- READ MORE: 20-year-old Mike Tyson slumped heavyweight legend’s son in just 30 seconds with brutal knockout
Mike Tyson’s final knockout as a champion came against Bruce Seldon
In September 1996, Tyson would challenge WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, who had a 33-3 record. As for Tyson, he had a 44-1 record.
To that point, Tyson’s only loss was his controversial meeting with James ‘Buster’ Douglas.
The two fought in Las Vegas, as Tyson was seeking a new world title after vacating his WBC belt. However, it wouldn’t take long for Tyson to once again become world champion.
Just after the halfway point of the opening round, a trademark left hook would land on the champion, Seldon. Going down for the second time in the bout, he would be waved off by the referee.
It was the fourth time Seldon tasted defeat in his career, and his first time since 1991 when he was stopped after being knocked out by Riddick Bowe.
As for Tyson, it was his 40th win by way of stoppage. However, Tyson would drop his new world title in his next bout.
Mike Tyson began rivalry with Evander Holyfield in 1996
For his first defense of the WBA World Heavyweight Championship, Tyson would welcome a challenge from Evander Holyfield in November 1996.
Despite being a significant favorite going into the bout in Las Vegas, Tyson would be stopped by 34-year-old Holyfield. In a great performance, Holyfield became a three-time champion, securing his legacy as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.
The two would have an immediate rematch in June 1997. Once again fighting in Las Vegas, the two would have one of the most well-known boxing matches of all time.
In the third round, Tyson bit the ear of Holyfield in a truly bizarre moment. ‘Iron Mike’ was disqualified from the bout, and the two never had a third bout.
Tyson later apologized to Holyfield for the bite, but he would never become champion again.