Buster Douglas, 60, Seeks Rematch With Mike Tyson 30 Years After Shocking KO Upset
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Columbus, Ohio (December 3rd, 2020)– Move over Mike Tyson versus Evander Holyfield III. Former World Heavyweight champion James ‘Buster’ Douglas, whose shocking tenth knockout upset of the then seemingly indestructible 37-0 Iron Mike Tyson on February 11, 1990, at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, shocking all boxing experts at underdog odds of 42:1, is now gunning for a rematch with Tyson, 30 years after the magic event.
It now appears Douglas, 37-6-1 with 24 knockouts, Columbus, Ohio, last active in February 1999 when he stopped Andre Crowder, and Tyson, 50-6 with 44 knockouts, Henderson, Nevada, may cross paths next in the Mike Tayson Legends exhibition wars. At least this time, Tyson, age 54, will have a younger opponent, as opposed to his eight rounds exhibition draw with the younger and more active Roy Jones Jr.
Douglas, who stated to the press Tyson looked “Pretty impressive” against Jones, is still in the boxing gym, where he currently works training amateur fighters in his hometown, Columbus, Ohio, and stated he will need only six to eight weeks to prepare before meeting Tyson again. Another Mike Tyson opponent who beat Tyson and actually Tyson’s career in 2005, Irish Kevin McBride, 47, has also publicly stated he wants a rematch with Tyson, who quit on his stool against McBride.
“Sure, I would welcome the opportunity,’’ Douglas told USA TODAY Sports. “Being a prizefighter all those years and still feeling pretty good today, you always feel you got one more fight in you.’’
When Douglas stopped Tyson, he was a 42-1 underdog. Coming in to that fight, Tyson was 37-0 with 33 knockouts.
A rematch never took place. And according to Douglas, a rematch had never really been discussed with him.
‘I’ve been asked about it in casual conversation,’’ Douglas said. “They always ask, ‘Why didn’t you guys have a rematch?’
“It was just never presented really, as far as a rematch. It was often mentioned. That’s about it.’’
Like many others, Douglas was impressed with Tyson’s performance against Jones.
“It was pretty competitive,’’ Douglas said. “A couple of guys that were past their prime but put a good effort in there. Entertaining.’’
Real Combat Media 2012 Interview With James Buster Douglas
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