VA
  • TGT on YouTube
  • About TGT
  • The TGT Team
  • How TGT rates
  • Responsible Gambling Advice
  • Contact Our Team
  • Writers Wanted
  • Content Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
Contains commercial content
Billboard Left
Billboard Left
The Grueling Truth - Where Legends Speak / What if Mike Tyson Fought in the 1960s and 70s: Part 2 of 3

What if Mike Tyson Fought in the 1960s and 70s: Part 2 of 3

Tyson battles Ali and Frazier
Publish Date: 01/24/2022
Fact checked by: Mike Goodpaster

In Part 1, we saw Iron Mike Tyson’s meteoric rise to the top of the heavyweight division. Now, we’ll see how he fares against the all-time greats of the 1970’s, starting with “Smokin” Joe Frazier.

Check out the top sportsbook bonuses!

BetMGM
1.
Favicon
4.6/5
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Go to BetMGM
Get Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet365
2.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $1 & Get $365 in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Min. Deposit: $10
Go to Bet365
Get Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet $1 and Get $365in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
3.
Favicon
4.5/5
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Get Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
PointsBet
4.
Favicon
4.5/5
5 x $50Bet Credits
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Copy
Get Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+
BetRivers.com
5.
Favicon
4.5/5
100% up to $500
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Copy
Get Bonus
T&Cs apply, 21+

February 6, 1970: Mike Tyson vs. Joe Frazier

Madison Square Garden is filled and millions around the world are watching on closed-circuit TV as Iron Mike Tyson faces “Smokin” Joe Frazier for the Unified Heavyweight Championship. Both men enter this fight undefeated. Tyson is 39-0, 35 KOs and Frazier’s record stands at 24-0, 21 KOs. Tyson is a solid 9-5 favorite according to Las Vegas oddsmakers with many experts touting him as the finest heavyweight fighter they’ve seen since the days of Joe Louis.

Over the first four rounds, Iron Mike lives up to the billing as Frazier cannot cope with his blinding hand speed and bone-jarring punching power. Frazier is down twice in the second round, and Tyson nearly finishes him with a barrage of devastating punches in the 4th. However, Frazier survives and refuses to back down. By the end of the 6th, Mike is shaking his head as if to say, what else to I have to hit this guy with.

Frazier’s body punching begins to take its toll over the next three rounds as Tyson becomes discouraged and tired. Smokin Joe lands a crackling left hook which sends Tyson to the canvas in the 10th. Tyson absorbs a horrific beating in the 11th before Frazier closes the show in the 12th with a devastating left hook. Iron Mike suffers his first professional defeat.

Frazier wins KO 12 (Tyson loses the WBA Heavyweight Championship)

October 10, 1970: Mike Tyson vs. Mac Foster

Tyson recovers from his loss to Frazier with a convincing victory over fringe contender Mac Foster.

Tyson wins TKO 4

March 8, 1971:

In the battle of the century, Joe Frazier wins by a unanimous decision over Muhammad Ali to win universal recognition as heavyweight champion.

April 3, 1971: Mike Tyson vs. Jurgen Blin

Tyson dominates from the beginning and stops Blin in the 5th round.

Tyson TKO 5

October 17, 1971: Mike Tyson vs. Oscar Bonavena

The durable Bonavena gives Iron Mike fits over the course of a very tough 10 round affair. Neither man is down in the course of the fight. In the end, Tyson lands the harder punches and secures a closer than expected decision victory. 97-94, 97-94, 96-95

Tyson wins UD 10

December 31, 1971:

Tyson ends the year with a record of 42-1, 37 KOs and is hoping for a second chance at Joe Frazier.

March 11, 1972: Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis:

In the rematch, Tyson chops down Buster Mathis in 7.

Tyson wins TKO 7

June 17, 1972: Mike Tyson vs. Cleveland Williams

Tyson destroys an ancient Cleveland Williams in 93 seconds, dropping him for the count with a vicious overhand right.

Tyson wins KO 1

August 25, 1972:

Tyson signs to face former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali for the NABF Heavyweight Championship. This is a highly anticipated match-up as both men are seeking to rebound from their respective losses to Joe Frazier.

November 18, 1972: Mike Tyson vs. Muhammad Ali

Over 40,000 fans flock to the Houston Astrodome to watch this highly anticipated match-up of former heavyweight champions. Tyson has won six straight fights since his 12th round knockout loss to Joe Frazier in February 1970. Iron Mike comes in with a record of 44-1, 39 KOs. Ali has won 8 straight since his decision loss to Frazier in March 1971 and entered with a record of 39-1, 30 KOs. The fight has been tabbed a pick-em affair by the oddsmakers. Heavyweight champion Joe Frazier is among those in attendance for this fight.

Ali has been driving Iron Mike crazy with trash-talking in the weeks leading up to this bout and Tyson has vowed to “bury him six feet under.” As the fighters enter the ring, Tyson looks utterly crazed. The bell rings for round one, and from the beginning, Iron Mike is completely outclassed. Ali moves cleverly and keeps his jab in Tyson’s face over the first four rounds. By the 5th, Ali is taunting and tormenting Tyson in the center of the ring as Iron Mike simply has no answers. Tyson finally lands a left hook which rocks Ali in the 6th.

However, Ali backs Tyson off with a hard right in the 7th which staggers him. By the 8th round, Ali is in complete command, and Iron Mike is badly swollen around both eyes. It seems like Ali can finish Tyson at any time, but he’s determined to humiliate Iron Mike, taunting, clowning and landing his jab at will over the next two rounds. Muhammad openly scoffs at Iron Mike as he returns to the corner at the close of round 10. In round 11, an enraged Tyson nails Ali with a left to the groin. Ali goes down in a heap, and the fight is delayed for several minutes. Tyson has penalized two points, but the referee lets the fight continue. Angelo Dundee screams in protest from Ali’s corner.

The fight resumes. Ali lands a hard right which snaps Mike’s head back. Tyson lurches forward, lifts Ali off the ground and slams him to the canvas. The referee immediately disqualifies Tyson, and a melee ensues in the ring. It takes the Houston police department twenty minutes to restore order. Tyson leaves the ring to a chorus of boos. He is essentially banned from boxing after the fight as no commission is willing to offer him a license.

Ali wins DQ 11

June 15, 1974: Mike Tyson vs. Bob Stallings

Finally, after 19 months, the city of Las Vegas is willing to sanction a Mike Tyson fight. Tyson ices Bob Stallings in under 50 seconds.

Tyson wins KO 1

October 30, 1974: Mike Tyson vs. Ken Norton

Tyson squares off against Norton on the undercard of Foreman-Ali in a battle of heavyweight seeking redemption. Norton keeps Tyson off balance over the first three rounds with his awkward style and left jab. Tyson lands a vicious left hook which sends Norton to the canvas in the 4th. Iron Mike drops Norton twice in the 5th, and the fight is stopped.

Tyson wins TKO 5

December 31, 1974:

Mike Tyson ends the year with a record of 46-2, 41 KOs.

April 5, 1975: Mike Tyson vs. Joe Bugner

Tyson dominates from the outset. By the middle rounds, Bugner’s face is a river of blood. The fight is stopped in the 6th.

Tyson wins TKO 6

September 20, 1975: Mike Tyson vs. Jimmy Young

Young outboxes Tyson over the first two rounds. However, Iron Mike lands a devastating left hook in the 3rd which sends Young to the canvas. Tyson drops Young twice in the 4th leading to a stoppage.

Tyson wins TKO 4

BetMGM
1.
Favicon
4.6/5
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
PayPal
Bank Transfer
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet365
2.
Favicon
4.6/5
Bet $1 & Get $365 in Bonus Bets
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 21+
Bet $1 and Get $365in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Caesars
3.
Favicon
4.5/5
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
E-Check
PayNearMe
Skrill
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 21+
PointsBet
4.
Favicon
4.5/5
5 x $50Bet Credits
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
E-Check
Prepaid Card
PayNearMe
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 21+
BetRivers.com
5.
Favicon
4.5/5
100% up to $500
Virginia
Players from Virginia accepted
PayNearMe
Bank Transfer
VIP Preferred
Virginia (US) Lottery Board
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 21+

December 31, 1975:

Mike Tyson ends the year with a record of 48-2, 43 KOs.

February 5, 1976:

Tyson signs to face heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in a rematch. Ali is more subdued in the pre-fight build up saying simply, “I’m the champion now, and I already beat this guy, and there’s no need to say anymore.”

**This concludes Part II. Next Tyson faces “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali, in a rematch and more as Iron Mike’s career moves into the late 70’s and beyond. Look for the Article on Sunday Morning!

Billboard Left
Billboard Left
Read Also
The Sunshine Showdown (aka/ “Down Goes Frazier”), Jamaica, 1973
“The Sunshine Showdown”, 1973, has lost some of its luster due to ...
Who was the greater fighter? Mike Tyson or Michael Spinks?
Many people will glance at this headline and automatically think this is ...
BetMGM Promo
Esteban de Jesus, Roberto Duran y AIDS (1972-89)
Many of us dream of celebrity sports fame, but only cruel individuals ...
What if Mike Tyson Fought in the 1960s and 70s: Part 3 of 3
In part one of our series Mike Tyson was an unstoppable force ...
What If Mike Tyson Fought in the 1960s and 70s: Part 1 of 3
For this mythical series, we will use our time machine to move ...
Michael Nunn and Iran Barkley Discuss Their Bout, Bob Arum, and the Four Kings
Mountains to Climb, Pebbles in Your Shoe “I always say that was ...
Elmer Ray: The Humble Man of Hastings
"Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for ...
Peter Maher: An Irish Tribute
INTRO: I was seriously ill in 2018 with 7 nights in the ...
Lady Tyger’s Tale: How Marian Trimiar Mauled the Boxing Establishment of the 1970s and 80s
To Feed the Ambition in Your Heart is Like Carrying a Tiger ...
Where Did You Go, Smokin’ Joe? To Starrcade and WrestleMania By Way of Puerto Rico
Starrcade ’84: The Million Dollar Challenge ‘Nature Boy’ Ric Flair, that “stylin’ ...
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now! Get your Bonus Bet now!
Top Brands
Top Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
Day 5: 2 bonus packages $25 = 30,000 LC + 30 SC, $100 = 120,000 LC + 120 SC
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Latest News
Canelo Alvarez vs. Jermell Charlo: Can’t Knock The Hustle 
Canelo Alvarez and Jermell Charlo put it all ...
Was the 1918 World Series Between the Red Sox and Cubs Fixed?
Everybody knows about the 1919 World Series and ...
Betting Tips
09/30/2023 - 11:30 am
Mohegan Sun Arena
Tip:
Sun to win from 2-0
-120.00
FanDuel
09/30/2023 - 12:00 pm
Folsom Field
Tip:
USC to Cover
-21.50
FanDuel
09/30/2023 - 12:00 pm
Texas Memorial Stadium
Tip:
Kansas to Cover
16.50
FanDuel
Our Latest YouTube Videos
Video: College Football Prediction show: Notre Dame vs Duke Preview and prediction!
College Football Prediction show: Notre Dame vs Duke Preview and prediction!
Video: Cincinnati Bearcats on the Prowl: Cincinnati vs BYU Preview and Oklahoma recap
Cincinnati Bearcats on the Prowl: Cincinnati vs BYU Preview and Oklahoma recap
Video: NFL Best Betting Show: Picking all Week 4 games againt the Spread!
NFL Best Betting Show: Picking all Week 4 games againt the Spread!
Sportsbook of the month
PointsBet - Get your Bonus Bet now! Get your Bonus Bet now!
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....
Top Online Casinos
Top Casinos Bonuses
Stake.us
Stake.us
Stake.us Review
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Review
4.6/5
High5Casino
High5Casino
High5Casino Review
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Review
4.5/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Review
4.5/5
Stake.us
Stake.us Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Wow Vegas
Wow Vegas Bonus
30 SCs on 1st Purchase + 4.5 SCs FREE
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
High5Casino
High5Casino Bonus
$5 No Deposit + 250 GameCoins + 600 Diamonds
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Fortune Coins
Fortune Coins Bonus
1,000 ($10) No Deposit Free Coins + 360,000 Gold Coins
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Sweeptastic
Sweeptastic Bonus
Day 5: 2 bonus packages $25 = 30,000 LC + 30 SC, $100 = 120,000 LC + 120 SC
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Top Betting Sites
Top Betting Bonuses
BetMGM
BetMGM
BetMGM Review
4.6/5
Bet365
Bet365
Bet365 Review
4.6/5
Caesars
Caesars
Caesars Review
4.5/5
PointsBet
PointsBet
PointsBet Review
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Review
4.5/5
BetMGM
BetMGM Bonus
up to $1,500 back in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Bet365
Bet365 Bonus
Bet $1 & Get $365 in Bonus Bets
T&Cs apply
4.6/5
Bet $1 and Get $365in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
PointsBet
PointsBet Bonus
5 x $50Bet Credits
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
BetRivers.com
BetRivers.com Bonus
100% up to $500
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Unibet
Unibet Bonus
$100 Second Chance Bet
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
21+ and physically present in VA only. Terms & Conditions apply. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call, text or chat, VA Council on Problem Gambling on their confidential and toll free helpline at: 1-888-532-3500.
Our Team
Mike GoodpasterAuthor IconJosh SchwartzSamuel TeetsSimon Briffa
+8
Mike Goodpaster
Mike Goodpaster
Chief Editor
Author Icon
Christopher Carlson
Content Writer
Josh Schwartz
Josh Schwartz
Editor
Samuel Teets
Samuel Teets
US Sports Veteran
Simon Briffa
Simon Briffa
Sports Editor
Mark Lewis
Mark Lewis
Editor
Chris Benedict
Chris Benedict
Editor
Author Icon
Daniel Kornhauser
Author
Author Icon
Malik Zorrok
Author
John Raspanti
John Raspanti
Author
Author Icon
Buddy Gibbs
Author
Brian Coburn
Brian Coburn
Author
Peter Bonahoom
Peter Bonahoom
Author
Find out what the legends have to say about sports this week....

If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into “The Grueling Truth” sports shows, “Where the legends speak”

Contact us: contact@thegruelingtruth.com

Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.

This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.

21+NCPG
Move to Top
Close
Players accepted in the US US Flag
Stake.us Exclusive Bonus
$25 No Deposit + 250,000 Gold Coins + 5% Rakeback
Promo Code
Copy
Visit Site
T&Cs apply, 18+
Payment Methods
Bitcoin
Litecoin
Ethereum
Dogecoin
Highlights
  • Exclusive promo code: TGTSOCIAL
  • Play Plinko, Hilo, Crash and more!
  • Get Stake Cash bonuses every day!
Stake Originals
Dice
Crash
Plinko
Mines
×
Your Promo Code:
The bonus offer of was already opened in an additional window. If not, you can open it also by clicking the following link:
Visit Site