Mike Tyson is a legendary American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. He was known in his early career as "Iron Mike" and "Kid Dynamite," and later as "The Baddest Man on the Planet." Tyson is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, having held the undisputed world heavyweight championship from 1987 to 1990. He was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, as well as the only heavyweight to unify them in succession.
Tyson's accolades in the ring are numerous and impressive. He won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, with 12 of those wins coming in the first round. At 20 years, four months, and 22 days old, Tyson became the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was also the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, as well as the only heavyweight to unify them in succession. In 1988, Tyson became the lineal champion when he knocked out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds of the first round. He was known for his ferocious and intimidating boxing style, as well as his controversial behavior inside and outside the ring.
Tyson's impact on the sport of boxing is undeniable. He has been inducted into both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. His knockout-to-win percentage of 88% ranks him 16th on The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time, and first on ESPN's list of "The Hardest Hitters in Heavyweight History." Sky Sports described him as "perhaps the most ferocious fighter to step into a professional ring." His legacy as a boxer will live on for generations to come.