This Day in Boxing History: Douglas Beats Tyson

[Spicoli]

I am sure the poster for Tyson v Holyfield was just before he got convicted for rape Spicoli, as I have one.

I have two write ups and fold up poster releases from what I remember, plus promo page bios from Boxing illustrated pre Douglas. They claimed 'rib injury' or something second cancellation.

[Master]

I am sure the poster for Tyson v Holyfield was just before he got convicted for rape Spicoli, as I have one.

I have two write ups and fold up poster releases from what I remember, plus promo page bios from Boxing illustrated pre Douglas. They claimed 'rib injury' or something second cancellation.

The rib injury was for the Holyfield fight and then the rape trial got in the way of the fight. I am sure I am right mate.

[Spicoli]

I am sure the poster for Tyson v Holyfield was just before he got convicted for rape Spicoli, as I have one.

I have two write ups and fold up poster releases from what I remember, plus promo page bios from Boxing illustrated pre Douglas. They claimed 'rib injury' or something second cancellation.

The rib injury was for the Holyfield fight and then the rape trial got in the way of the fight. I am sure I am right mate.

I'm sure you are cause we agree . The official Ring mag poster was definitely for the rescheduled fight in 91'. As was injury aka they knew charges were about to be filed. But the first fight date was being negotiated since Dec of 89 and sooner and both Don King and Dan Duva had confirmed, King and Tyson were promoting the Douglas fight, signing agreement for them to fight on June 18 1990 with the Douglas "tune up" just a formality for Mike. Now I know there was early promotion poster or pull out that dropped right before Douglas bout and they were all over the talk show circuit. The Boxing illustrated write up feature and picks mentioned were in this one below. Now I may need to go to storage to dig out some articles that dropped right before Douglas turned the boxing world on its head and made history . There was a great head to head breakdown I believe in 'Boxing 90' or KO also.

[Mark TKO]

such a shame Douglas couldn't motivate himself again after this fight - Douglas that night would have beaten anyone.

He was an embarrassment against Holyfield - the late Gary Mason, commentating, said he'd lost the fight about ten seconds in just watching the way he moved out of his corner after opening bell.

[Spicoli]

such a shame Douglas couldn't motivate himself again after this fight - Douglas that night would have beaten anyone.

He was an embarrassment against Holyfield - the late Gary Mason, commentating, said he'd lost the fight about ten seconds in just watching the way he moved out of his corner after opening bell.

Best thing he did leading up was giving Don King the finger and Arum being shut out of fight also .

Holyfield was a man possessed in there, firing beautiful combinations and rocking Douglas very early on. Convinced me even more he would have handled Tyson regardless.

[Master]

It would have been a brilliant back and forth fight if it was the same Douglas that fought Tyson. A classic Holyfield v Bowe type fight which was all lost because Douglas has secured about $30 million for this fight alone.

Fat fucker nearly ate himself to death years later. Had to make a comeback just to stay healthy and alive.

I read somewhere he did try to shift the weight but put too much on and could not get himself motivated again. He blamed the politics and promoters.

[Fenster]

For all the tales about Tyson's poor training he weighed what he always did for this fight (give or take a pound). Now, obviously, the mental aspect of competing is as important as the physical, but all the excuses of Tyson's out-the-ring behaviour probably wouldn't even be known had he won.

Douglas was top 5 ranked by three governing bodies, had solid world-class wins and two of his previous losses had come when he weighed north of 240 (like he was against Holyfield), the other two defeats were late stoppages in fights he was winning (the Tucker stoppage was arguably premature). A 230 fully prepared Douglas may well have beaten Tyson at any time, he certainly shouldn't have been the no-hoper he was.

[Master]

Tyson life was spiralling out of control even when he fought Bruno and Spinks. He had a suicide attempt, punch up with Mitch Green and managerial issues. Tyson weighed the same weight but was poor against both. It all caught up with Tyson against Douglas and Mike did look crap. His corner were a joke and Douglas was inspired.

[Fenster]

Tyson life was spiralling out of control even when he fought Bruno and Spinks. He had a suicide attempt, punch up with Mitch Green and managerial issues. Tyson weighed the same weight but was poor against both. It all caught up with Tyson against Douglas and Mike did look crap. His corner were a joke and Douglas was inspired.

What Douglas fights had you seen before he fought Tyson?

[Master]

Tyson life was spiralling out of control even when he fought Bruno and Spinks. He had a suicide attempt, punch up with Mitch Green and managerial issues. Tyson weighed the same weight but was poor against both. It all caught up with Tyson against Douglas and Mike did look crap. His corner were a joke and Douglas was inspired.

What Douglas fights had you seen before he fought Tyson?

When he quit against Tucker, watched that live and think he was on the undercard of a Tyson defence.