Mike Tyson throughout his career was a true force to be reckoned with, as he was able to deliver knockouts across decades.
Considered to be among the greatest heavyweights of all time, Tyson potentially has one of the greatest highlight reels in boxing history.
Tyson has knocked out the likes of Larry Holmes and Frank Bruno as the heavyweight put away 44 opponents via stoppage.
Beginning his career with a knockout streak, Tyson quickly showed the world what he was capable of. For his fifth fight, a doctor even advised his opponent to stop fighting for his health.
Mike Tyson won fifth professional fight via retirement as doctor advised opponent to stop
A 4-0 Tyson stepped into the ring in Atlantic City as he was seeking his fifth win in July 1985. The fight would see ‘Iron Mike’ take a step up in competition, as he was paired with 3-0 John Alderson, who had won all of his fights by knockout.
19-year-old Tyson would also have to overcome a six-inch height disadvantage in the bout scheduled for six rounds. In the fight, Alderson looked visibly bigger than the future champion in the ring.
However, despite being significantly shorter than his opponent, Tyson prevailed. Attempting to land his now signature left hook throughout the two-round fight, Tyson was hurting his opponent on multiple occasions.
Tyson scored two knockdowns in the second round, as it turned out to be the final round of the fight. The second grounding punch came in the final moments of the bout, as Alderson was able to return to his corner.
The doctor approached Alderson in his corner between rounds and spoke to the fighter. It can be heard in the TopRank footage that the doctor says, “Why don’t you just come back and fight another day?”
Although Alderson did not immediately retire on the stool after the question was posed by the doctor, shortly afterwards, he confirmed he no longer wanted to compete.
Tyson won the bout via retirement, as Alderson suffered his first professional loss.
Alderson would fight just three more times as a professional after his loss to Tyson, but would win all three outings.
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Mike Tyson won 18 fights in 12 months as a professional
Making his debut on March 6th, 1985, Tyson began as he meant to go on scoring a first-round knockout over Hector Merced in New York.
Tyson would then fight every month of the year for the remainder of 1985, including two fights in October and December, as well as three fights in November.
By March 6th, 1986, one year after making his debut, Tyson was 18-0 with all of his wins coming by stoppage.
Tyson would be brought the distance for the first time in his 20th professional fight, against James Tillis. ‘Iron Mike’ won the bout via unanimous decision.