Mike Tyson is not any stranger to an early knockout, however his quickest within the paid ranks got here in opposition to the son of a heavyweight legend.
In 1986, at 24-0 and months from turning into the youngest top-division titleholder in historical past, Tyson fought 16-1 Marvis Frazier.
Regardless of being educated by his dad, ‘Smokin’ Joe,’ the struggle lasted solely thirty seconds.
In July 1986, months away from turning into the youngest heavyweight champion in historical past, Iron @MikeTyson nearly took his head off the shoulders of boxing legend Joe Frazier’s offspring Marvis.
The struggle lasted 30 seconds.
Tyson was 24-0. Marvis 16-1.
🎥 @ABCNetwork pic.twitter.com/pDDVnJbRQl
— World Boxing Information (@WorldBoxingNews) July 10, 2024
Tyson blasted out of the blocks and went straight for Frazier within the struggle broadcast by ABC as a part of its Extensive World of Sports activities anthology sequence. There was no stopping Mike as Frazier struggled to get a single punch off.
The ending got here inside seconds as Frazier acquired caught with strong shot after strong shot, with Tyson clearly having unhealthy intentions. An uppercut despatched Frazier’s head into the clouds earlier than a perfectly-timed and harmful proper hook hit Frazier’s chin as he fell. An pointless left hook to the temple then pulverized Frazier and put him down within the nook, slumped in opposition to the ropes.
Struggling solely a second profession defeat, the primary being to Larry Holmes, Frazier’s son would by no means absolutely get well from the occasions of that night time. After a 12 months out, Marvis returned in the summertime of 1987. Nevertheless, he solely fought thrice earlier than retiring in 1988 on the age of 28. He later turned a minister serving to prisoners.
As for Tyson, it’s properly documented that his profession was already on the trail to stratospheric superstardom. His twenty fifth victory led to a different one-sided beating of Jose Ribalta earlier than a second-round knockout of Alfonzo Ratliff arrange his first world title problem.
When Trevor Berbick introduced his belts to the ring in 1986, Tyson obliterated his compatriot to change into the WBC champion and the most effective within the division at 20.
Nevertheless, the Frazier knockout stays within the historical past books as Tyson’s fastest-ever skilled knockout. His quickest within the amateurs was eight seconds on the Junior Olympics in 1981 when he took out Joe Cortez.
Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra in regards to the creator, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Observe on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
