The Boxing History Blog

Mike Tyson Mike Tyson with new trainer Richie Giachetti The Road Back James 'Buster' Douglas was scheduled to face top contender Evander Holyfield in June 1990, but as he was in a legal dispute with Don King, that bout was pushed back to the September. Mike Tyson, however, did return to the ring on the 16th June 1990 against Henry Tillman. Tillman did manage to beat Tyson twice in the unpaid ranks, for the 1984 Olympic Trials, finally winning gold in the heavyweight division in Los Angeles. But his professional career didn't emulate his amateur resume.  He started out at cruiserweight and won ten in a row, including a heavyweight contest against Tyson foe Reggie Gross, winning a ten round unanimous decision. Tillman then fought Bert Cooper for the NABF cruiserweight title. Cooper knocked him down twice in the second round, firstly by a left hook, then again by an overhand right to the head before going on to winning a twelve unanimous decision. He ...

Mike Tyson Mike Tyson: King of the Heavyweights Undisputed Title Defences 16th October 1987, Convention Hall, Atlantic City Mike Tyson Vs Tyrell Biggs 'Iron' Mike Tyson stepped into the ring for the first time as the unified champion. His opponent was ranked number one by the WBA and IBF. Tyrell Biggs won the Olympic Super-heavyweight gold medal in Los Angeles in 1984, beating top amateurs such as Canada's Lennox Lewis and Italy's Francesco Damiani along the way. He turned professional in November 1984, beating Mike Evans on points. He beat former title challengers James Tillis, Renaldo Snipes both by decision and stopped David Bey. However, in the Bey bout, which was on the undercard of Tyson Vs James Smith, Biggs suffered a nasty cut which required thirty-two stitches. Four months later Biggs was back in action against Lorenzo Boyd, stopping his man in the third round. He next entered the ring awaiting the arrival of the cham...