The Ten Worst Performing Opponents of Iron Mike Tyson’s Career
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
During his career, Iron Mike Tyson had some very brief outcomes in his 50 recorded wins. Tyson’s career stretched 20 years, between 1985 and 2005. Bouts which ended in the first and second round, of one or two rounds duration, are the focus of this historical lookback, These bouts are the professional bouts where Iron Mike ‘closed the show’ on the way up, or later. The opponents were a mixed bag in terms of pro records. The common denominator of the opponents of Iron Mike, whatever the cause of their limited performances, was they did not last long. The ten worst opponents of Iron Mike are listed in rank order, as viewed by this reporter.
1. Michael Spinks
The then 31-0 Spinks folded in 1:31 of the first round at Convention Hall Atlantic City, New Jersey, on June 27, 1988. Spinks beat the count after going down once, but took the ten count the second time, while wearing kneepads on both knees. The extent of his physical condition for his brief bout with Mike Tyson remains a mystery, but Spinks got his payday. Spinks never fought again.
2. Carl ‘The Truth’ Williams
The 22-2 Williams, the next titular bout for Tyson after defeating Michael Spinks and Frank Bruno, lasted all of 1:33 of the first round at Convention Center Atlantic City on July 21, 1989. Williams went 8-7 in his last 15 pro bouts, losing to the likes of Frank Bruno and Tommy Morrison.
3. Clifford Etienne
Mike Tyson’s final pro knockout and pro final win. The 24-1-1 Etienne lasted all of 49 seconds at The Pyramid in Memphis, Tennessee, on February 22, 2003. Etienne went 5-2-1 at the end of his career. In March 2006, Etienne was sentenced to 150 years for attempted murder, robbery, auto theft, and other charges stemming from a 2005 $1900 robbery of a check cashing establishment, then stealing a car with two children which he then crashed. Etienne tried to shoot police at the scene, but his gun jammed.
4. Andrew Golota
Down in first round, the 36-4 Golota gave up on his stool after two rounds, on October 20, 200, at The Palace, in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The bout was ultimately ruled a No Contest by the Michigan Athletic Commission after Tyson tested positive for marijuana after the bout, which was not allowed in Michigan at the time of this bout.
5. Lou Savarese
The 39-3 Savarese, who subsequently beat Buster Douglas (who dethroned Mike Tyson) lasted 38 seconds at Hamden Park, Glasgow, Scotland, on June 24, 2000.
6. Bruce Seldon
WBA World Heavyweight champion Seldon lasts 1:49 at the MGM Grandin Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 7, 1996.
7. Peter McNeeley
The 36-1 McNeeley lasted 1:29 and got decked twice at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 19, 1995. Referee Mills Lane called an early end to the lopsided mismatch.
8. Alex Stewart
The 26-1 Stewart, good enough to go the distance with George Foreman, lasted 2:27 ay the Convention Center Atlantic City, on December 8, 1990.
9. Marvis Frazier
Son of Smokin’ Joe Frazier, Marvis, who went less than one round with Larry Holmes, folds in 30 seconds at Civic Center in Glens Falls, New York, July 26, 1986.
10. The number ten position is a tie, and is reserved for the other first round knockout victims of Tyson: Hector Mercedes, Trent Benjamin, Ricardo Spain, Lorenzo Canady, Michael Johnson, Donnie Long. Robert Colay, Sterling Benjamin, Eddie Richardson, Sammy Scaff, Dave Jaco, Reggie Gross, and Wiliam Hosea.
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