Mike Tyson
Peek-a-boo defence built to explode inside.
- Born
- June 30, 1966, Brooklyn, New York City, US
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 178 cm (5′10″)
- Reach
- 180 cm (5′11″)
- Stance
- Orthodox
- Style
- Peek-a-boo pressure fighter
- Weight
- Heavyweight
- Active
- 1985–2005, 2024
- Status
- Retired · age 60
The record
Professional; includes the sanctioned 2024 loss to Jake Paul. The IBHOF page predates it (50-6, 2 NC) record
The story
aised in Brooklyn, Mike Tyson was taken in by trainer Cus D'Amato, who became his legal guardian and taught him the peek-a-boo style. He turned pro in 1985 and won his first 19 fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round. In 1986 he stopped Trevor Berbick to become, at 20, the youngest heavyweight champion ever, and within a year he was the first heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF belts at once. He knocked out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds in 1988, then was upset by Buster Douglas in Tokyo in 1990. He won two belts back in 1996, lost twice to Evander Holyfield and was knocked out by Lennox Lewis in 2002. At 58 he lost a decision to Jake Paul. Outside the ring, his life brought serious trouble with the law.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Undisputed heavyweight champion (1987–1990)
- Youngest heavyweight champion (age 20, 1986)
- First heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF belts at once
- WBC and WBA heavyweight champion (1996)
- International Boxing Hall of Fame (2011)
- The Ring Fighter of the Year (1986, 1988)
Defining fights
- 1986WINvs Trevor Berbick (TKO 2, won WBC heavyweight title)
- 1988WINvs Michael Spinks (KO 1, in 91 seconds)
- 1990LOSSvs Buster Douglas (KO 10)
- 1996LOSSvs Evander Holyfield (TKO 11)
- 2002LOSSvs Lennox Lewis (KO 8)
Copy the peek-a-boo basics: hands high, constant head movement and slipping under punches to get inside. Then drill Tyson's favourite finish, a right hook to the body straight into a right uppercut, springing from bent legs.
