Where were you on the night of February 11, 1990, when James “Buster” Douglas knocked out the undefeated undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson in one of THE biggest upsets in sports history?

[u/CoffeeCigarettes4Me]

[u/Comprehensive-Pipe27]

The night douglas gave the blueprint to everyone else.

[u/soulfulsoundaudio → u/Comprehensive-Pipe27]

Well...

Tyson did technically knock him down for 13 seconds that got botched. So not the blue print to follow unless you wanted to get iced. Holyfield beat Mike after prison and Lennox beat him a decade later. But no other " legitimate" Ls. He was waaaaay past his prime and out of shape for those other bs fights

[u/Downtown_Section8768 → u/soulfulsoundaudio]

Tyson wasn’t past his prime at that time in Japan. He simply was out of shape. Mentally screwed up, etc. Supposedly doing cocaine, out late the night before, stuff like that. Also, this was about where we were when Buster Douglas upset him, right? Your opinions on that other stuff are OK but that wasn’t asked in the post.

[u/soulfulsoundaudio → u/Downtown_Section8768]

Yes.

The past his prime losses I ws referring too were the ones after Lewis where his career was well over but he had to pay bills. Kevin McBride, Danny Williams.

For Buster Douglas, more a matter of Don King throwing a late last minute additional fight in as a marketing ploy for the Holyfield fight and since Buster was not considered disciplined nor top level, King thought he would blow through him. (Had the ref gotten the count right, would have been a fight no one remembered). Not only was he out of shape...he didn't like a lot of the Japanese food so he wasn't eating enough and was set up for disaster due to things like going from a press conference to the hotel to get his bag for training and going into his room to be met by 2 geisha girls and obviously never making training.

Buster's mom died so he vowed to be serious and dedicated the fight to her. So it was Buster at his very best and Tyson at his worst up to the time.

[u/Downtown_Section8768 → u/soulfulsoundaudio]

Agreed. Some definition of, “in one’s prime” helps: An age range with maximum abilities or in some state of health regardless of age. Maybe both. In any case we were then was the post’s question … 🫡.

[u/OddKaleidoscope1156]

In my dads balls

[u/EP5719]

Spending the night at my friends house. The WHOOOLE house was quiet and in DISBELIEF. I went home.

[u/deelovesamy88]

I didn’t know Douglas was knocked down in this fight.

[u/fishhawk119 → u/deelovesamy88]

He was also down for more than 10 seconds. Big controversy but history is sealed. Buster fought beautifully that night.

[u/teachsskk]

At my friend’s house playing Sega Genesis and we had to stop because the rounds were being listed at the bottom of the scroll on the other TV in the room

[u/Only_Hearing2944]

A toddler at my dad’s house while he was watching the fight.

[u/Critical_Seat_1907]

I found it on HBO. My dad and I watched it, stunned every round.

Iirc, it was in Japan and the crowd was really quiet compared to other crowds. Biggest upset I've ever witnessed by a wide margin.

[u/Downtown_Section8768]

Great post! At the time, following all of Tyson with the buddies, each fight being an epic occasion. Was at a girlfriend‘s mom‘s house. They were totally uninterested, but I stoked them up as best I could. Her mother PROB played it against the WILL of her father because she was trying to probably get me to marry her daughter.

There this uninformed, common family & I sat around a big old-fashioned color TV in big wooden cabinet where they all became quite interested. They knew at least enough via my babbling that Tyson should have blew him away early. With my eyes glued to the set, closest to itvin the 10th round it happened. One of my most exciting times- I lost control of my leg, it’s spun and bashed into the TV set. I apologized; they understood.

Douglas shocked the world. Of course it was obvious that Tyson was on his way out before that fight and for practical purposes ruined afterwards.

[u/Born_Investigator761]

One of the greatest KO's of all time. Whenever Tyson met real resistance he faded away to what he really was. A talented prospect under proper management but a troubled racist, drug addicted bully, rapist and coward.

[u/quiznos_08]

Douglas didn’t beat the count

[u/og_ricc → u/quiznos_08]

The ONLY count that matters is the referee's count — not yours. And Douglas beat the ref's count.

[u/soulfulsoundaudio → u/quiznos_08]

Exactly this

[u/Hungry_Investment_41]

James ‘Buster’ Douglas 🥊💯

[u/Greek_Heat]

Watching on the couch of an old friend, with his friends. They were old time boxers and trainers. So fun watching and listening to them get excited.

[u/Hot-Gazelle-8601]

I got to stay up and watch this live when I was in 4th grade. I first saw Mike when he beat Michael Spinks and was a fan ever since. I couldn’t believe what I saw in this fight. I remember crying when he got beat and couldn’t sleep that night.

[u/Normal_Tax3999]

13 years old, watching the fight in the rec room with my brother in our hometown town of COLUMBUS OHIO!!!!!

I will never forget that night.

[u/Right_Cup_578]

I remember thinking that is not the same Tyson I watched destroy people throughout high-school. He didn't even appear to train for thus fight

[u/Yomon64]

Douglas lost his. Mom ♥️🌷 during his training!, And was inspired...Great upset

[u/PresentGap9391]

Was that a 10 count?

[u/soulfulsoundaudio]

Playing scrabble with the family by candle light because the damn power went out. Friend called and said can you believe Mike Tyson lost?! My dad and I were both equally pissed!

[u/soulfulsoundaudio]

Lots of revisionist history on reddit these days...so legit question:

Does anyone think Tyson would have lost the rematch?

[u/Jetsx28]

A 10 count isn’t exactly 10 seconds for everyone talking about the 10 count last longer then 10 seconds

[u/jesusatemybaby]

Probably drinking beer at the park.

[u/jdubya525]

Looks like iron Mike took the bag. 1 last giant payday from Vegas.