{"id":57092,"date":"2015-12-15T23:00:22","date_gmt":"2015-12-16T04:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=57092"},"modified":"2019-01-31T20:51:10","modified_gmt":"2019-02-01T02:51:10","slug":"what-if-mike-tyson-fought-in-the-1960s-and-70s-part-i-of-iii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=57092","title":{"rendered":"What If Mike Tyson Fought in the 1960\u2019s and 70\u2019s? Part I of III"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Tyson<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

For our next mythical series, we going to use our time machine to move Iron Mike Tyson twenty years into the past. In this timeline, Tyson is born on June 30, 1946 which puts him smack dab in the middle of perhaps the most competitive era in Heavyweight boxing history. How would Iron Mike have fared against the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Ken Norton and the other top Heavyweights of that time? Would he still become a legend? Let\u2019s find out!<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s Settle This in the Ring<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

March 6, 1965:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Under the tutelage of Cus D\u2019Amato, Mike Tyson turns professional winning by a first round TKO over Joe Thames.<\/p>\n

December 31, 1965:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

By the end of the year, Iron Mike has an undefeated record of 14-0, 13 KOs and the boxing public is beginning to take notice. Fans are in awe of his speed and power with some touting him as the man who will dethrone Muhammad Ali.<\/p>\n

January 15, 1966:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson defeats trial horse Willi Besmanoff by a 5th round TKO to improve his record to 15-0, 14 KOs.<\/p>\n

April 30, 1966:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

After four more stoppage victories, Tyson\u2019s record stands at 19-0, 18 KOs<\/p>\n

May 20, 1966: Mike Tyson vs Amos Johnson<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Iron Mike wins by a first round knockout to improve his record to 20-0, 19 KOs.<\/p>\n

June 10, 1966: Mike Tyson vs Henry Cooper<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson is floored for the first time in his career by a Cooper left hook in the first round. The fighters clash heads in the 4th, opening a nasty gash over Cooper\u2019s left eye. The fight is stopped and Tyson is awarded a controversial technical decision:<\/p>\n

Tyson wins Technical SD 4<\/p>\n

August 31, 1966:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

After two more knockout victories, Iron Mike\u2019s records stands at 23-0, 21 KOs<\/p>\n

September 17, 1966: Mike Tyson vs Thad Spencer:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson dominates from the outset dropping Spencer five times on the way to a stoppage victory.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins TKO 7<\/p>\n

November 30, 1966:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson stops his next two opponents to run his record to 26-0, 24 KOs<\/p>\n

December 17, 1966: Mike Tyson vs Henry Cooper II<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson dominates the rematch from the start and by the fourth round Cooper\u2019s face is a river of blood. Tyson wins by TKO.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins TKO 4<\/p>\n

March 30, 1967:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson stops his next two opponents to improve his record to 29-0, 27 KOs<\/p>\n

May 5, 1967: Mike Tyson vs George Chuvalo<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson controls the fight but is unable to finish the iron chinned Chuvalo. Tyson wins by unanimous decision: 99-92, 98-92, and 98-93<\/p>\n

Tyson wins UD 10<\/p>\n

June 30, 1967:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson, now with a record of 31-0, 28 KOs, qualifies for the WBA 8 man championship tournament after Muhammad Ali is stripped of the title.<\/p>\n

August 18, 1967: Tyson vs Ernie Terrell<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson faces Terrell in the first round of the WBA tournament. Ernie\u2019s height and size give Tyson problems over the first half of the fight. However, Mike wears him down with his speed and accurate power shots. A 12th round knockdown puts the stamp on a Tyson decision: 117-111, 117-111 and 117-110 on the scorecards.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins UD 12<\/p>\n

December 31, 1967:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson ends the year with a record of 32-0, 28 KOS and has advanced to the final four of the WBA Heavyweight tournament.<\/p>\n

February 17, 1968: Mike Tyson vs Jerry Quarry<\/p>\n

In the tournament semifinal, Tyson is just too strong and fast for Quarry, punishing him on the way to a 6th round stoppage.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins TKO 6<\/p>\n

April 13, 1968: Mike Tyson vs Jimmy Ellis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson and Ellis square off for the vacant WBA Heavyweight title. Ellis boxes cleverly over the first four rounds but after that it\u2019s all Tyson. Tyson floors Ellis 3 times in the 7th leading to a stoppage. Tyson wins the WBA Heavyweight championship and improves his record to 34-1, 30 KOS.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins TKO 7 (Wins WBA Heavyweight championship)<\/p>\n

July 13, 1968: Mike Tyson vs Leotis Martin<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson makes the first defense of his WBA Heavyweight title against Martin: This is a mismatch from the outset as Tyson floors Martin five times leading to a third round stoppage.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins TKO 3 (Retains WBA Heavyweight Championship)<\/p>\n

September 21, 1968: Mike Tyson vs Floyd Patterson<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Patterson outfoxes Tyson over the first 3 rounds but Iron Mike quickly assumes control with his power punching. One final uppercut from Tyson closes the show in the 6th.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins KO 6 (Retains WBA Heavyweight Championship)<\/p>\n

November 16, 1968: Mike Tyson vs George Chuvalo II<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Chuvalo once again proves to be a rugged opponent for Tyson. Tyson wins virtually every round over the first 8. By the 11th, Chuvalo is badly cut over his left eye. The referee steps in and stops the fight in the 12th. Tyson defends his WBA Heavyweight championship successfully for the 3rd time and improves his record to 37-0, 33 KOs<\/p>\n

Tyson TKO 12<\/p>\n

February 8, 1969: Mike Tyson vs Buster Mathis<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

In his fourth title defense, Tyson dismantles Buster Mathis, flooring him twice in the fourth round before stopping him in the fifth.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins TKO 5 (Retains WBA Heavyweight Championship)<\/p>\n

November 8, 1969: Mike Tyson vs Zora Folley<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Tyson defends the WBA Heavyweight championship for the 5th time with dominant victory over Zora Folley. Folley is down 4 times in the fight before the referee stops it in round 7. Tyson\u2019s record now stands at 39-0, 35 KOs.<\/p>\n

Tyson wins TKO 7 (Retains WBA Heavyweight Championship)<\/p>\n

December 5, 1969:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Mike Tyson signs to face New York State Athletic Commission Heavyweight champion Joe Frazier in a unification match. This is one of the most anticipated matchups in Heavyweight boxing history.<\/p>\n

**This concludes Part I. Next Tyson faces Frazier in a Heavyweight Super Fight collision and a certain guy named Ali emerges from exile looking to reclaim his lost crown. And let\u2019s not forget about George Foreman. All-time greats battle for dominance as the Heavyweight division moves into the early and middle 1970\u2019s.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

[si-contact-form form=’2′]<\/p>\n