Mike Tyson had the best year of any heavyweight, fighting 13 times, recording 11 knockouts and making history.

In 1986, Mike Tyson had the greatest, most dominant and explosive year among heavyweights in boxing history.

He started out as a promising teenager who fought 15 journeymen and whose longest fight lasted 10 minutes. By the end of 1986, Tyson had won an astounding 13 fights (11 by knockout) in one year and became the youngest world heavyweight champion ever.

6

Beyond the statistical superiority, what was striking was the ferocity of the demonstrations. Tyson crushed his opponents with devastating combinations, was battle-tested in several tough fights and delivered some iconic quotes.

And he topped it all off with a green WBC belt around his waist.

Other heavyweights have had more impressive one-off victories. Some have had amazing 12-month results (Muhammad Ali was amazing, going 5-0 at the peak of his powers in 1966). But 13 fights, going from beginner to world champion, is unique.

Tyson started the year with intense grief. His trainer and guardian Cus D’Amato, who officially adopted Tyson, died in November 1985. However, Tyson channeled the pain into his performances, determined to prove Cus right about his young heavyweight’s potential.

In January, David Jacot and Mike Jameson were cut off when the sawed-off shotgun of a Brooklynite whizzed through them.

Then came Tyson’s first little test – of sorts – Jesse “Boogeyman” Ferguson (who would go on to fight for the world title in 1993).

Ferguson held on, messed up and lasted longer than any of Tyson’s opponents to date – until an uppercut broke his nose in the fifth round and he was disqualified for holding in the sixth round (the result was soon changed to a technical knockout).

“I wanted to punch him in the nose one more time,” Tyson growled, “so that his nose bone would hit his brain.”

Tyson’s post-fight comments sparked controversy – not for the last time – and his management panicked that their rising star was insulting his audience. Iron Mike didn’t care.

He sought to create an aura of intimidation, as D’Amato had taught him.

6

6

After Tyson hit Steve Zuski with a left hook, Tyson actually had a rare two months without a fight while he recovered from an infected cut to his ear. When he returned to the ring, he endured a most disappointing fight.

The gifted James “Quick” Tillis suffered a knockdown in the fourth round, deteriorated and sporadically attacked Tyson’s body, lasting the full 10 rounds. Just two weeks later, Tyson fought another 10-round fight. Mitch “Blood” Green holds on and runs to a unanimous decision loss.

Tyson returned to knockout just before his 20th birthday in June, defeating Mafia mercenary Reggie Gross (who at least tried) in the first round and then gave the hapless William Hosea the same treatment. Lorenzo Boyd lasted until the second round, despite having his nose broken by Tyson’s first punch. What followed was Iron Mike’s fastest knockout in history.

Poor Marvis Frazier was pushed too hard by his proud father, Smokin’ Joe, and it was Marvis who got smoked in just 30 seconds as Tyson destroyed him with a series of hooks and uppercuts.

If Marvis isn’t happy, journeyman Jose Ribalta exceeded his targets. Years later, Tyson praised the Cuban as having the best chin and the most physically powerful heavyweight he had ever met. Ribalta rose from three knockdowns to strike back before being stopped in the final round.

Alfonso Ratliff – Tyson’s 12th opponent this year by September – literally ran in fear in the first round and was pummeled with hooks in the second.

6

6

Next came the most important thing: Trevor Berbick, an experienced 32-year-old world champion who went the distance with the great Larry Holmes and upset Pinklon Thomas to win the title. On paper he was by far Tyson’s best opponent, but the 20-year-old was less than impressed.

“Was it recorded in slow motion?” – Tyson asked when he was shown a video of Berbick’s victory over Thomas.

Berbick tried to play mind games before the fight by insisting on wearing all black, which meant the challenger would have to change his usual attire. Instead, Tyson simply paid the $5,000 fine and wore black anyway, entering the ring full of rage not helped by his case of gonorrhea.

Trevor unwisely decided to face Tyson with predictable results. He barely survived the first round before Tyson’s left hook sent him spectacularly sprawling and crashing across the ring.

Iron Mike reached his goal in less than six minutes.

“Every punch I threw was with bad intentions,” Tyson said afterwards. “My record will last forever, it will never be broken.”

6

This piece is more than just hype. It’s likely that no heavyweight will ever match Tyson in 1986 because no promoter would schedule 13 fights for a top prospect in his second year as a pro.

Tyson’s phenomenon was growing and he had even greater achievements ahead of him – unifying titles the following year and then stopping previously undefeated champions. Michael Spinks in just 91 seconds, 1988. to remove any doubt as to who was the best heavyweight in the world.

But in a sense, 1986 was also a stellar year for Tyson. The problems that had plagued his heyday had already begun to surface as fame, money and exploitative personalities formed a dangerous triangle.

Remarkably, now in 2024, Tyson is still fighting.

The heavyweight legend is set to return to the ring to face Jake Paul. November 15although this will be his only fight this year.

While Tyson in his prime could boast incredible activity, Tyson at 58 years old cannot do this.

He hasn’t boxed professionally in 19 years and was last seen in an exhibition fight with Roy Jones in 2020.

The Paul fight, on the other hand, is a fully sanctioned professional fight, hence the anxiety among fans before the opening bell.

Time will tell whether these fears were truly justified.