Mike Tyson suffered his first loss to James “Buster” Douglas in February 1990, if you believe what the record books say. But upon closer inspection, Tyson won the fight.
A controversial eighth-round ‘slow count’ blotted the whole story of what became the biggest upset in the sport’s history.
Tyson put Douglas down towards the end of the round, and referee Octavio Meyran was docile even to start counting.
Any usual timing would have reached three of four when Meyran got to his first number. By that time, Douglas looked as though he’d get counted out.
Thirteen seconds amassed before Douglas got saved by the bell. Tyson should have retained his title there and then.
As it transpired, Tyson took too many punches in retaliation. In the end, that told in the tenth when Douglas put him down.
Douglas secured the upset triumph to become a household name with another thirteen-second count.
It was cruel for Tyson’s unstoppable reign to come to a halt. However, his lifestyle outside of the ring meant it was simply a matter of time.
Douglas should not have been the man to do it, though. It may have been post-prison before Tyson eventually lost a fight.
