37 years ago
Mike Tyson vs Tony Tubbs
Date: 21st March 1988
Venue: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Title: WBC, WBA & IBF World Heavyweight Titles
Promoter: Don King Productions & Teiken Promotions
Referee: Arthur Mercante
Tv: HBO Sports
Mike Tyson
(
33
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 216¼ lbs
Tony Tubbs
(
24
-
1
-
0
)
Weight: 238¼ lbs
On March 21, 1988, boxing history was made as the undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson stepped into the ring at the newly opened Tokyo Dome in Japan to defend his titles against former WBA champion Tony Tubbs. The fight, which marked only the second time a world heavyweight championship bout had been held in Japan, generated immense excitement and anticipation among Japanese fans, who had quickly embraced Tyson as a national hero.
Tyson, who had recently married actress Robin Givens, arrived in Japan for the fight amid a whirlwind of media attention and public adoration. The young champion's popularity in the country was unparalleled, and fans and journalists alike were captivated by his explosive fighting style and larger-than-life persona.
Despite the hype surrounding the event, some behind-the-scenes tensions were evident leading up to the fight. The Japan Boxing Commission did not recognise the fledgling IBF and insisted that Tyson not wear the organisation's championship belt into the ring. This led to a standoff between the IBF and Tyson's management, with the IBF threatening to strip Tyson of their title if he did not comply. In the end, Tyson entered the ring without any of his championship belts, a decision that nearly cost him his IBF title.
When the bell rang, Tubbs, who had a reputation for being out of shape, surprised many by trading punches with Tyson in the first round and using his jab and quick combinations to blunt the champion's assault. However, as the fight progressed, Tyson's relentless pressure and powerful body punches began to take their toll on the challenger.
In the second round, Tyson caught Tubbs against the ropes and unleashed a devastating barrage of uppercuts to the body, leaving the challenger visibly hurt. As Tubbs desperately attempted to mount a counter-attack, Tyson connected with a left hook that caught Tubbs just above the right eye, sending him spinning to the canvas. Referee Arthur Mercante counted out the motionless Tubbs, bringing the fight to a dramatic conclusion at 2:54 of the second round.
The victory was a bittersweet one for Tyson, as he learned upon his return to the United States that his co-manager and mentor, Jim Jacobs, had passed away after a long battle with leukaemia. Jacobs' death, coming just two years after the loss of Tyson's other father figure, Cus D'Amato, left the young champion emotionally shaken.
Despite the personal tragedy, Tyson's dominant performance against Tubbs was a testament to his unrivalled skills and cemented his status as the most feared fighter on the planet. The fight also began an ambitious plan to take Tyson on a world tour, with future title defences tentatively scheduled for London, Milan, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris.
As Tyson basked in the glow of his victory and the adulation of his Japanese fans, the boxing world eagerly awaited his next move, knowing that wherever he fought, the world's eyes would be watching.