Mike Tyson stunned me as he spun experienced world champion around the ring in devastating KO to break record and begin ‘reign of terror’
Mike Tyson’s fearsome reign came to the fore in his record-breaking win over Trevor Berbick, a moment which stunned respected broadcaster Adam Smith. The legendary heavyweight made a sensational rise into the sport as an amateur having won gold medals at the Junior Olympic Games, before picking up a gold medal at the National Golden Gloves in 1984. Tyson’s frightening power reigned true in his first world title clash with BerbickGetty He then turned professional in March 1985 as a young teenager, beating 25 of his 27 opponents by knockout in a staggering rise which earned him a world title shot. It was frightening activity levels, with the American only 20 years old when making the big step up of his career against Berbick in 1986, who he fought in Las Vegas. Tyson faced a tough battle against the experienced world champion, but was the favourite given his fearsome KO record which had seen him become the talk of the heavyweight division. Berbick held the WBC title, but as a 7/1 underdog, and so it proved as the first bell rang, as Tyson’s relentless and aggressive approach to his squared circle outings began. He bobbed and weaved in trademark fashion as Berbick tried to flex his powerful shots early on, but it was clear it was a blatant mismatch with Tyson showing generational talent. As the second period commenced, Tyson was proving he possessed the power to get it done early. He sent Berbick staggering with a ferocious looping right hand which crashed through his guard, and the onslaught began. A left hook then smashed into the target by Tyson, who sent Berbick to the canvas. Referee Mills Lane brought a halt to proceedings and it saw Tyson crowned the youngest world heavyweight champion in history. It is a record that still remains and is unlikely to be broken, as the American’s era of persistent dominance began. Berbick, the champion, was crushed with a left hook which signalled history for Tyson It signalled the start of Tyson’s dominance, and era of power and precisionGettu Smith, a boxing broadcaster, who eagerly followed Tyson’s career, saw this as the moment he cemented his name as one of the best to do it in the blue-riband division. “This very nearly made it to number one. One of the most incredible scenes in Mike Tyson‘s long and thrilling career,” he told talkSPORT when ranking Tyson’s five best moments. “We go way back to when he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20, knocking out Trevor Berbick in unbelievable fashion back in November 1986 to lift the WBC heavyweight belt. “Trevor Berbick, another superb fighter, another top name, and Mike Tyson hit him – have a look at the footage, watch it back – Berbick is spun around the ring. “He goes back into the ropes, he falls the other way, he tries to get up. He certainly was all over the place, he didn’t know where he was. “The American commentator said, ‘We have a new era in heavyweight boxing.’ And that’s what it was, it was simple as that. Smith recalled the incredible moment he knew Tyson was the man at heavyweight “Mike Tyson had arrived on the scene, The kid from Brownsville. The tyrant, the terror on the streets who’d been guided by Cus D’Amato. “And Cus knew he was going to be a world heavyweight champion. And he was. He became one in November 1986 against Trevor Berbick. “And the reign began, the Tyson reign of fear, of intimidation, of power, of ferocious onslaughts, of incredible hand speed. “And most of all, of psychological intimidation, in those black trunks with the white robe thrown back as he walked to the ring, just like his heroes of the past. “Plain and simple. Tyson did his talking in the ring.” It was an astonishing year with 13 fights won that year, the best of any world heavyweight champion. He will now astonishingly return to our screens, 38 years on from this frightening win, in a bizarre professional bout against Jake Paul this weekend. Save 33% on DAZN ahead of Black Friday *If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue. There are more than 150 boxing and MMA fights a year on DAZN, and you can get access for less if you sign up now: Head to the DAZN website now to take advantage of a third off all plans. One option is the annual pay monthly plan, which is reduced to £9.99 from £14.99 in the DAZN Black Friday sale. Or you could save more money if you pay for a year upfront, with an annual subscription reduced to £89.99 – the equivalent of £7.50 / month. Complete your purchase before 29 November to take advantage of the sale. DAZN currently has the exclusive rights to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and will have Queensberry’s star-studded stable from April 2025, which includes heavyweight champions Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.
Mike Tyson’s fearsome reign came to the fore in his record-breaking win over Trevor Berbick, a moment which stunned respected broadcaster Adam Smith.
The legendary heavyweight made a sensational rise into the sport as an amateur having won gold medals at the Junior Olympic Games, before picking up a gold medal at the National Golden Gloves in 1984.
He then turned professional in March 1985 as a young teenager, beating 25 of his 27 opponents by knockout in a staggering rise which earned him a world title shot.
It was frightening activity levels, with the American only 20 years old when making the big step up of his career against Berbick in 1986, who he fought in Las Vegas.
Tyson faced a tough battle against the experienced world champion, but was the favourite given his fearsome KO record which had seen him become the talk of the heavyweight division.
Berbick held the WBC title, but as a 7/1 underdog, and so it proved as the first bell rang, as Tyson’s relentless and aggressive approach to his squared circle outings began.
He bobbed and weaved in trademark fashion as Berbick tried to flex his powerful shots early on, but it was clear it was a blatant mismatch with Tyson showing generational talent.
As the second period commenced, Tyson was proving he possessed the power to get it done early.
He sent Berbick staggering with a ferocious looping right hand which crashed through his guard, and the onslaught began.
A left hook then smashed into the target by Tyson, who sent Berbick to the canvas.
Referee Mills Lane brought a halt to proceedings and it saw Tyson crowned the youngest world heavyweight champion in history.
It is a record that still remains and is unlikely to be broken, as the American’s era of persistent dominance began.
Smith, a boxing broadcaster, who eagerly followed Tyson’s career, saw this as the moment he cemented his name as one of the best to do it in the blue-riband division.
“This very nearly made it to number one. One of the most incredible scenes in Mike Tyson‘s long and thrilling career,” he told talkSPORT when ranking Tyson’s five best moments.
“We go way back to when he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20, knocking out Trevor Berbick in unbelievable fashion back in November 1986 to lift the WBC heavyweight belt.
“Trevor Berbick, another superb fighter, another top name, and Mike Tyson hit him – have a look at the footage, watch it back – Berbick is spun around the ring.
“He goes back into the ropes, he falls the other way, he tries to get up. He certainly was all over the place, he didn’t know where he was.
“The American commentator said, ‘We have a new era in heavyweight boxing.’ And that’s what it was, it was simple as that.
“Mike Tyson had arrived on the scene, The kid from Brownsville. The tyrant, the terror on the streets who’d been guided by Cus D’Amato.
“And Cus knew he was going to be a world heavyweight champion. And he was. He became one in November 1986 against Trevor Berbick.
“And the reign began, the Tyson reign of fear, of intimidation, of power, of ferocious onslaughts, of incredible hand speed.
“And most of all, of psychological intimidation, in those black trunks with the white robe thrown back as he walked to the ring, just like his heroes of the past.
“Plain and simple. Tyson did his talking in the ring.”
It was an astonishing year with 13 fights won that year, the best of any world heavyweight champion.
He will now astonishingly return to our screens, 38 years on from this frightening win, in a bizarre professional bout against Jake Paul this weekend.
Save 33% on DAZN ahead of Black Friday
*If you click on a link in this story we will earn affiliate revenue.
There are more than 150 boxing and MMA fights a year on DAZN, and you can get access for less if you sign up now:
- Head to the DAZN website now to take advantage of a third off all plans.
- One option is the annual pay monthly plan, which is reduced to £9.99 from £14.99 in the DAZN Black Friday sale.
- Or you could save more money if you pay for a year upfront, with an annual subscription reduced to £89.99 – the equivalent of £7.50 / month.
- Complete your purchase before 29 November to take advantage of the sale.
DAZN currently has the exclusive rights to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and will have Queensberry’s star-studded stable from April 2025, which includes heavyweight champions Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang, Fabio Wardley and Moses Itauma.
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