If you didn’t belong in the ring with the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet,’ he let you know by swift KO. Some lasted longer than others. Good fighters crumbled mentally and physically under the whirlwind fists of Mike. 39 years to the day that Tyson dished out his quickest knockout, here are five of the fastest finishes he produced across a 57-fight career littered with punishment beatings.
Ricardo Spain knocked out in 39 seconds
Making his national TV debut, the fans were in for a treat as Tyson dealt with Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Spain in June 1985. No sooner than a youthful-looking Michael Buffer had introduced the two fighters on this ESPN show, Tyson was ripping into Spain with sizzling left hooks to end the match in just 39 seconds.
Michael Johnson knocked out in 39 seconds
Hopes were not particularly high for Johnson when he entered the New Jersey ring in 1985, against a young opponent making his name as a verified destroyer.
Referee Frank Cappuccino was on high alert from the start as Johnson, effectively a cruiserweight, sank from an early body shot.
A chopping right hand sent Johnson down and out once more at just 39 seconds of the six-rounder.
Lou Savarese knocked out in 38 seconds
While most of Mike’s quickfire finishes arrived in the early part of his career, the same power and destructive instincts carried over to the later portion.
Arriving in Glasgow with his mere presence creating controversy, Tyson did little in the ring to persuade otherwise.
Setting about the hapless Savarese, Tyson forced a brief knockdown and continued pummelling through poor John Coyle as the ref tried to end matters after just 38 seconds.
Robert Colay knocked out in 37 seconds
Back in the early reign of terror under the late Cus D’Amato and trainer Kevin Rooney, Tyson cut through Robert Colay like a hot spoon through a warm easter egg.
Tyson was scheduled to go eight rounds for the first time, but it didn’t even last 80 seconds as Mike’s bob and weave approach led to a thumping left-hand finisher.
Marvis Frazier knocked out in 30 seconds
The fastest knockout of Tyson’s career arrived against a famous heavyweight surname in 1986. Marvis Frazier, son of Smokin’ Joe, was nowhere near as hot as his father, but a 16-1 record added a semblance of respectability.
The one previous loss came in a single round to Larry Holmes. Tyson repeated the trick with a finishing uppercut, consigning Marvis to the scrap heap.
“It was scary because he went down real slow. I don’t want to hurt anybody. That’s the last thing I want to do, hurt anybody,” said Tyson, who was on the verge of a world title shot.
