Mike Tyson left opponent out cold in eight seconds with historic amateur KO aged 15
Mike Tyson was always a ferocious fighter and a brutal KO as an amateur was a signal of things to come. Heavyweight legend ‘Iron Mike’ enjoyed a stellar boxing career, having achieved it all at professional level before retiring in 2005, having reigned as undisputed world champion from 1987 to 1990. Tyson flattened his rival in just eight seconds with a pummelling set of blows And his credentials were certainly proven at amateur level, where he won a gold medal at the 1981 Junior Olympics in the heavyweight division. In the final, the heavy-handed American made a statement like no other with the landmark event lasting just eight seconds against rival Joe Cortez. Tyson quickly burst out from his corner with just one intention, and began loading up some vicious shots. But after just eight seconds with Cortez clearly way out of his depth, Tyson – just 15 years old at the time – landed a crushing right-left combination which sent his opponent crumpling to the canvas. Cortez was left flat on his back out cold, and the referee immediately waved off the fight while seeking medical attention for the silver medallist. Tyson’s quickfire KO came as no surprise, with the amateur champion seen as one of the most dynamic punchers to have come through at the time. He went on to win another gold medal at the 1982 version of the tournament, before making the step to the professional ranks with a huge reputation. He missed out on the 1984 Olympic Games, but made up for the heartache with a glittering career as a pro. He quickly went from strength to strength, demolishing rivals with ease on his rise to becoming the youngest ever heavyweight world champion aged 20, when he beat Trevor Berbick with another thumping KO in November 1986. The feared puncher went on to share the rings with some greats, including Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield whom he lost to, while he beat other names like Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks in a stint that saw him go down as one of the greatest of all-time. Tyson garnered a fearsome reputation in his amateur careerGetty Images - Getty In 1986 he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he beat BerbickGetty At the peak of his powers, Tyson reigned as an undisputed world champion from 1997 to 1990, before he lost the belts to Buster Douglas in one of sport’s biggest ever upsets that year. He eventually hung up his gloves in 2005, admitting he no longer had the desire to fight on. The American lost three of his final four fights in the boxing ring, including his final fight against Kevin McBride. It was a sad ending to his career as he was forced to quit on his stool, but in the present day all hasn’t been over for good. Surprisingly in 2020 he returned to face Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition, where he looked in decent shape and remained unscathed in the professional ring. But it wasn’t the last we had seen of the power-hitting great, who decided to make another extraordinary U-turn. Tyson was beaten by Paul in his most recent comebackEsther Lin/MVP Despite health fears and scares, Tyson signed up to a huge showdown with Jake Paul, which counted on his professional record. He got back into the best shape he could for the November 2024 clash, but looked a shadow of himself. The veteran sadly fell to defeat against far less experienced Paul, who outboxed him without either putting on a show for the crowd. Financially, the event was a huge success for Tyson who pocketed a mammoth $20 million for the eight-round clash. But he certainly put his life on the line, admitting he ‘almost died’ in the build-up. For now it appears his career as a fighter is finally over, suggesting lucrative offers will now be left on deaf ears. But the boxing fraternity still have fond memories of a true great.
Mike Tyson was always a ferocious fighter and a brutal KO as an amateur was a signal of things to come.
Heavyweight legend ‘Iron Mike’ enjoyed a stellar boxing career, having achieved it all at professional level before retiring in 2005, having reigned as undisputed world champion from 1987 to 1990.
And his credentials were certainly proven at amateur level, where he won a gold medal at the 1981 Junior Olympics in the heavyweight division.
In the final, the heavy-handed American made a statement like no other with the landmark event lasting just eight seconds against rival Joe Cortez.
Tyson quickly burst out from his corner with just one intention, and began loading up some vicious shots.
But after just eight seconds with Cortez clearly way out of his depth, Tyson – just 15 years old at the time – landed a crushing right-left combination which sent his opponent crumpling to the canvas.
Cortez was left flat on his back out cold, and the referee immediately waved off the fight while seeking medical attention for the silver medallist.
Tyson’s quickfire KO came as no surprise, with the amateur champion seen as one of the most dynamic punchers to have come through at the time.
He went on to win another gold medal at the 1982 version of the tournament, before making the step to the professional ranks with a huge reputation.
He missed out on the 1984 Olympic Games, but made up for the heartache with a glittering career as a pro.
He quickly went from strength to strength, demolishing rivals with ease on his rise to becoming the youngest ever heavyweight world champion aged 20, when he beat Trevor Berbick with another thumping KO in November 1986.
The feared puncher went on to share the rings with some greats, including Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield whom he lost to, while he beat other names like Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks in a stint that saw him go down as one of the greatest of all-time.
At the peak of his powers, Tyson reigned as an undisputed world champion from 1997 to 1990, before he lost the belts to Buster Douglas in one of sport’s biggest ever upsets that year.
He eventually hung up his gloves in 2005, admitting he no longer had the desire to fight on.
The American lost three of his final four fights in the boxing ring, including his final fight against Kevin McBride.
It was a sad ending to his career as he was forced to quit on his stool, but in the present day all hasn’t been over for good.
Surprisingly in 2020 he returned to face Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition, where he looked in decent shape and remained unscathed in the professional ring.
But it wasn’t the last we had seen of the power-hitting great, who decided to make another extraordinary U-turn.
Despite health fears and scares, Tyson signed up to a huge showdown with Jake Paul, which counted on his professional record.
He got back into the best shape he could for the November 2024 clash, but looked a shadow of himself.
The veteran sadly fell to defeat against far less experienced Paul, who outboxed him without either putting on a show for the crowd.
Financially, the event was a huge success for Tyson who pocketed a mammoth $20 million for the eight-round clash.
But he certainly put his life on the line, admitting he ‘almost died’ in the build-up.
For now it appears his career as a fighter is finally over, suggesting lucrative offers will now be left on deaf ears.
But the boxing fraternity still have fond memories of a true great.
