Mike Tyson has a whole highlight reel of vicious KOs, but one showed quite how much power he could inflict.
Tyson carried dynamite in his hands and he became a fan favourite during his sensational career, which saw him reign as undisputed heavyweight champion at his peak.
Tyson left Francois Botha on the canvas after landing a brutal punch
‘Iron Mike’ was famously disqualified for biting off a portion of Evander Holyfield’s ear in their 1997 rematch.
In his comeback fight having regained his boxing licence following a successful appeal, Tyson took on Francois Botha in January 1999.
The American was an overwhelming favourite despite his time out of the squared circle, but returned to the ring with a famous walkout to DMX’s ‘It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot’.
Tyson did look extremely rusty in the opening four rounds, and was outboxed for large parts which left fans crying out for more from the already legendary fighter.
Botha had looked promising in round five, but after taunting his rival, Tyson landed a sharp right hand which dropped his rival to the canvas with 12 seconds remaining.
The thunderous shot detonated Tyson’s power and left Botha seriously dazed and struggling to beat the count.
As he rose to his feet, his legs were completely gone and he staggered backwards towards the ropes being held up by them briefly before slumping lower.
The referee was forced to grab him and tried to wrestle his heavy body weight gently to the ground, but Tyson quickly came and also intervened.
Tyson came to the aid of Botha who was clearly dazed
He held his rival’s weight with the contest already halted, and the pair gently brought him lower towards the ground before he was attended to by his corner.
Botha was clearly out cold, but it was an important win for Tyson who was looking to return to world honours.
Shortly after the final bell, Tyson was questioned over pre-fight comments that suggested his rival would ‘die’.
He snapped at a reporter, shouting: “I need respect, you show me respect and stop writing trashy articles about me, then I’ll show you respect. I’m a man.
“So I’m in no hurry to die, but no-one’s going to disrespect me and no-one’s going to write nonsense about me without me retaliating back.”
The power-punching superstar had already become the youngest-ever world heavyweight champion with a win over Trevor Berbick in 1986 aged just 20.
He had risen to become undisputed champion from 1987 to 1990 before he astonishingly lost his belts to Buster Douglas in 1990.
Tyson was far from his prime on his latest charge, but went on to secure two consecutive wins before facing Andre Golota.
The fight resulted in another win, but it was overturned to a no-contest after he tested positive for marijuana.
He then defeated Brian Nielsen to secure one final shot at undisputed gold in 2002 against Lennox Lewis.
The mega event cemented his downfall as he succumbed to brutal KO defeat to Lewis in the US, but he felt he couldn’t call it a day there.
Tyson came up short against Lewis, with his days at world level numbered
Tyson is not done yet at the age of 58
Tyson suffered three defeats in his last four fights in the ring, which produced a sad ending to a legendary stint in the professional ranks.
His final outing came in a stoppage defeat to Irish journeyman Kevin McBride, whom he headbutted but was forced to quit on his stool which was his final bow.
Or so was thought, as Tyson announced his return to the ring 15 years later in an exhibition bout with Roy Jones Jr.
The event generated huge cash and saw a whole host of new call-outs including from YouTube star Jake Paul.
Four years passed with no return for Tyson, but he will now return in a surprise professional bout aged 58.
It was scheduled to take place on July 20, but the veteran was forced to pull out after suffering an ‘ulcer flare up’.
He will still return with the clash rescheduled for November 15, but there are understandable concerns for his health.
It would be a sad ending to an epic career, but the opportunity of a lucrative purse has proven too difficult to turn down.
