‘No Way He’d Win’- Mike Tyson Once Cowered Away From a Deathmatch Against UFC Legend Who Challenged Him, Author Claims

On March 6, 1985, a young child walked cautiously inside a boxing ring. Mike Tyson, then 18 years old, made his professional debut, marking a new chapter for both Tyson and the boxing sport as a whole. In the late 1980s, he single-handedly carried boxing and altered people’s perceptions of the sport. To become the best fighter in the world, athletes from all over the world aspired to compete against Tyson.

Sports writer Fiaz Rafiq revealed something intriguing in a memoir, ‘To The Top: Enter the Octagon, the Ring and Entertainment. UFC icon Royce Gracie wanted to fight the most feared man on the planet, Mike Tyson to become the greatest fighter in the world.  

Rafiq stated, “[Tyson] was challenged by the Gracie Brothers, in particular Royce, back in the early 1990s.”

Rafiq claims that Gracie gave Tyson a no-holds-barred combat proposition. The author did add, though, that Tyson withdrew, believing there was ‘no way he’d win,’ and so the fight never took place.

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Iron Mike was given a prison sentence in 1992, while on the other hand, the world of combat sports saw a drastic evolution as the UFC was introduced in 1993. At the time, Brazilian fighter Royce Gracie won three fights on the first night itself. It would have been a great fight, unfortunately, it did not come to fruition. 

Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas: A storm that pulled the biggest upset in boxing history 

No one has ever before ruled the boxing world like ‘The Baddest Man on the Planet’ did. Tyson couldn’t possibly lose a bout by being knocked out. He was the one who would knock down opponents with a single powerful blow. However, on February 11, 1990, boxing fans saw something that they never believed would happen.

Tyson was the undisputed heavyweight champion at the time. When he faced Buster Douglas, the public already believed Tyson would prevail. For ten outstanding rounds, Tyson did display his prowess. But Douglas outperformed the living legend and defeated Tyson in the tenth round to claim the victory. It is still regarded as the biggest upset in boxing history.

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