Mike Tyson vs Trevor Berbick
A New Era

Fight Facts
Date: 22nd Nov 1986
Venue: Hilton, Las Vegas, NV
Title: WBC World Heavyweight
Result: Tyson wins KO2

It was the twenty-third anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and most American states were commemorating the anniversary with remembrance and sadness. However, in the self-absorbed land of entertainment and gambling the only two names on the minds of people were that of Mike Tyson and WBC Heavyweight Champion Trevor Berbick.

On the 22nd-Nov-1986 Iron Mike Tyson (Brooklyn, NY) stepped through the ropes with his destiny in his own hands, the young challenger had the opportunity to make history by becoming the youngest ever Heavyweight Champion, aged only 20 years, 4 months , 22 days, a record held by Floyd Patterson.

Tyson had terrorised the Heavyweight division, soaring through the rankings at a frightening pace. The division had been somewhat dormant since the retirement of the legends Ali, Frazier and Foreman of the golden era, and the young challenger was the hope of the division’s revival. The division desperately needed a dominant figure and who better than a young hard-hitting knockout artist.  This would be Iron Mikes first title shot and the referee would be Mills Lane, good news for the Tyson camp giving their man’s style of fighting, up close and on the inside. Some officials all too often separate boxers too quickly, Lane was a professional and complete referee who allowed fighting inside as long as there was action, he like most great officials understood the boxing fan paid their money to be entertained.

This would be Berbicks first defence of his WBC title he won eight months earlier from Pinklon Thomas via a decision. Berbick (Jamaica) was the man who finished the career of the great Muhammad Ali in a bout that should never have taken place.  As the bell sounded Tyson marched toward the Champion with his gloves snug against his cheeks, he bobbed and weaved from side to side popping off his jab. Berbick missed with a succession of punches unable to connect the elusive target.  Tyson continued to press forward landing with regularity then seconds before the end of the round he landed with a flurry of punches which sent the champion running backwards in a quest to keep his equilibrium.  The young challenger sensed victory and moved in on his wounded opponent, but the bell would sound bringing the first round to an end.  It was at this point if you were to close your eyes for a brief second you could almost see that Heavyweight belt strapped around Tyson’s waist, he absolutely stamped his authority from the opening bell and looked dominant thought the round.  Berbick showed no sign the second would be any different he looked way out of his depth and the only reason he finished the round on his feet was due to the saviour sound of the bell ending Tyson’s onslaught.

The Second Round

Tyson picked up where he finished the first, still sensing the victory he steamed forward throwing massive shots, at the same time keeping his composer constantly moving his head, a trademark style that the late Cus D’amato had drilled into the young Tyson.  With only nine seconds gone in the round, the Champion was on the canvas after eating four solid shots.  The Champion would beat the count but when the fight resumed Tyson continued with his relentless and ruthless aggression. Berbick just couldn’t withstand the young challengers brand of hellfire, every punch was being thrown with savage intent.  Then came the left hook which landed on the Jamaicans temple and after a brief and delayed reaction the Champion was on the canvas for a second time. 

What followed would became one of those images remembered forever in the sports history.  As referee Lane started the count Berbick attempted to find his feet but was caught in a tortures conflict between body and mind. Berbicks legs just were not receiving the message his brain was sending.  The Champion twice stumbled across the ring like that of a child trying to take their first step, falling into the ropes and the ringside media.  Finally, Mills Lane got hold of the defeated Berbick and helped him find his equilibrium.  Minuets later, the official announcement would come from Chuck Null that would revive the division for years to come, the winner by TKO in two minutes and thirty-five seconds in the second round. And new WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World Mike Tyson.