How many losses does Mike Tyson have? Find out here

How many losses does Mike Tyson have? Find out here

Steve Njuguna
December 12, 2023 at 11:33 AM

Mike Tyson is an American former professional boxer. Fans of the sport regard him as one of the greatest boxers to have ever stepped on a ring. This article delves into how many losses Mike Tyson had during his tenured career and the major milestones he achieved.

Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson during the last of his two infamous fights with Evander Hollyfield. Image by Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Earlier in his career, Mike was nicknamed 'Kid Dynamite' due to his meteoric rise at an early age. As he approached his peak, he gained the moniker 'Iron Mike' Tyson due to his solid striking. He also competed at an amateur level, winning gold for the USA at the Junior Olympic Games in 1981 and 1982.

How many losses does Mike Tyson have?

Mike Tyson was dominant in his prime, but many still ask how many wins and losses he had throughout his career. Mike lost only six fights, though not without their fair share of controversy. Here is a summary of Mike Tyson's losses record:

1. Loss to James "Buster" Douglas (February 11, 1990)

This fight took place in Tokyo, Japan. Tyson entered the ring as the undisputed heavyweight champion and a heavy favourite. However, Douglas, who was considered an underdog, displayed exceptional skill and determination. In the 10th round, Douglas landed a powerful uppercut that knocked Tyson down for the count. This shocking upset marked the end of Tyson's undefeated streak and is widely regarded as one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

2. Loss to Evander Holyfield (November 9, 1996)

In their first meeting, Holyfield and Tyson clashed for the WBA heavyweight title. Holyfield, known for his toughness and boxing skills, dominated the fight. Tyson was unable to mount a significant offence, and in the 11th round, Holyfield scored a TKO victory, becoming the new champion.

3. Loss to Evander Holyfield (June 28, 1997)

The rematch between Tyson and Holyfield is infamous for Tyson's actions. In the third round, frustrated by Holyfield's tactics, Tyson bit Holyfield's ear. The fight was temporarily stopped, and when it resumed, Tyson bit Holyfield's other ear. As a result, Tyson was disqualified, and Holyfield retained the title.

4. Loss to Lennox Lewis (June 8, 2002)

Tyson faced Lennox Lewis in a highly anticipated bout for the WBC, IBF, and IBO heavyweight titles. Lewis, a dominant force in the heavyweight division, outboxed Tyson throughout the fight. In the eighth round, Lewis unleashed a barrage of punches that ultimately led to Tyson being knocked out. This loss marked another setback in Tyson's career.

How many times has Mike Tyson lost?
Lennox Lewis(in white trunks) knocks down Mike Tyson during their title fight. Photo by Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

5. Loss to Danny Williams (July 30, 2004):

In this non-title bout, Tyson faced British boxer Danny Williams. Despite Tyson being the favourite, Williams proved to be a formidable opponent. Tyson suffered a fourth-round knockout, and Williams emerged as the victor. This loss raised concerns about Tyson's declining skills and fitness.

6. Loss to Kevin McBride (June 11, 2005):

Tyson's final professional bout took place against Kevin McBride. Tyson, who was clearly not at his peak, struggled in the ring. After the sixth round, Tyson decided not to continue, and McBride was declared the winner by TKO. This fight marked the end of Tyson's storied boxing career.

How many knockouts did Mike Tyson have?

Due to his strength and speed, Tyson often subdued his opponents without having to subject them to the judges' scorecards. Of his 50 wins, 44 came from knockouts. On the other hand, if you ask how many times Tyson lost via knockout, then that would cover all of his six career knockouts.

Frequently asked questions

By virtue of Tyson being a celebrity in and outside the ring, many ask questions about the happenings in his life. Here are some examples.

How old is Mike Tyson?

Mike (aged 57 as of December 2023) was born on June 30th 1966. He was raised in Brooklyn, New York. Tyson had a rough childhood, being raised by a single mother and ended up resorting to crime before being encouraged to start boxing as a teenager.

Does Mike Tyson have a wife?

Mike has been married three times and has a total of seven children. Here is a summary of all three marriages:

Robin Givens (1988-1989)

Mike Tyson's first marriage was to actress Robin Givens. They were married in February 1988. However, the marriage was short-lived and tumultuous. The couple divorced in 1989 amidst reports of domestic violence and a highly publicised legal battle.

Monica Turner (1997-2003)

After his first marriage ended, Tyson married Monica Turner in April 1997. Turner is a pediatric resident physician. The couple had two children together. Unfortunately, this marriage also faced challenges, and they divorced in 2003.

Lakiha "Kiki" Spicer (2009-present)

Mike Tyson married his third wife, Lakiha "Kiki" Spicer, in June 2009. They recently marked being together for 14 years.

What does Mike Tyson do now?

Since retiring, Mike has immersed himself in the film and TV industry with cameo appearances in several shows, some of them as himself. Mike has appeared in some famous films such as Ip Man 3, Law and Order SVU and Hell's Kitchen. He also has a podcast named 'Hotboxin with Mike Tyson'.

Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson during a recent boxing event. Photo by Francois Nel
Source: Getty Images

Final Word

The legacy of Mike Tyson in boxing has been one of great skill and great controversy. As much as fans want to know how many wins he had over his career, it is also important to see the losses and understand that this great man was also not perfect.

READ MORE: Who has the most Golf Majors in the world currently? A ranked list

Sports Brief recently detailed who has the most golf majors in the world currently. Elite golfers always go for the big prizes, and nothing is bigger than the majors. Famous names like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods rank highly amongst this list.

Authors
Steve Njuguna photo
Steve Njuguna
Steve Njuguna is a media professional with close to a decade of experience in the sports media industry. He has previously worked as a sports journalist with Bamba Sports TV, Vybez Radio and The Nairobian newspaper.
Tags
Mike Tyson