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Mike Tyson ‘scared to death’ of being undefeated

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Mike Tyson knocked down by Buster Douglas beside a 37-1 graphic after losing his undefeated record in Tokyo.

Watching Mike Tyson in the slow 1980s and early 1990s was less like watching a boxer and more like watching a superhero come to life.

There were Superman and Spider-Man cartoons on one channel. On the other hand – if his parents allowed it – there was Tyson, a heavyweight destruction machine who resembled the Incredible Hulk and fought like something created in a laboratory before entering the ring.

Tyson tore through the heavyweight division, destroying experienced fighters with terrifying ease. Trevor Berbick, Michael Spinks, Larry Holmes and Tony Tucker eventually became part of the same growing myth.

He was “Iron Mike” and yes, he was “The Baddest Man on the Planet.”

After years of living in this aura, Tyson finally started to believe it himself.

Mike Tyson undefeated

During Tyson’s destruction of Michael Spinks, even Teddy Atlas later compared Tyson’s level that night to Michael Jordan at his absolute peak.

“He was as good that night as any heavyweight in the history of the sport,” Atlas explained.

For a time, Tyson barely looked human to most boxing fans. However, this eventually became part of the problem.

The aura that Tyson created inside the ring spread far beyond it. The fame exploded, the pressure intensified, and the expectation of remaining undefeated became part of his daily existence.

Behind his undefeated image, Tyson later admitted that the reality was completely different.

“Fighting Buster was one of the best things that happened to me,” Tyson admitted years later.

“I was so stressed about being the champion. My hair was falling out and everything. I played like I was still a tough guy, but I was scared to death.”

Show time

The illusion has been changed

One night in Tokyo, everything finally collapsed, never to be fully put back together.

James “Buster” Douglas did much more than cause one of the biggest upsets in boxing history when he stopped Tyson in 1990.

He shattered the illusion surrounding the most feared warrior in the world. Eventually, Tyson began to see defeat as something strangely necessary.

“It was a release. It happened. It’s over. Now we have to deal with this adversity,” Tyson said.

“I was an even better fighter because I wasn’t afraid to lose. I did things I had never done before. I was undefeated.”

The fighter who terrified the heavyweights even before the opening bell lost control of the one thing Cus D’Amato always tried to protect – his humility.

“It made me a human being,” Tyson concluded. “I was not an animal or a savage.”


About the author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Lewis Edmondson looks at Joshua Buatsi after his fight with Lyndon Arthur

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Lewis Edmondson eyes Joshua Buatsi after Lyndon Arthur clash

Lewis Edmondson doesn’t want to overlook Lyndon Arthur, but is nevertheless keen to clash with Joshua Buatsi later this year, believing he can cause the Londoner “massive trouble”.

However, the first item on the program is his featherlight heavyweight clash with Arthur, which will take place on June 20 at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.

Edmondson was scheduled to face national rival Ezra Taylor in October, but a hip injury has sidelined him since last July, when he lost a majority decision to Daniel Lapin.

The 30-year-old, who has now recovered from the setback, admits he was initially disheartened by the possibility of not appearing in front of Taylor, but tells Boxing News the rest and recovery has helped him greatly.

“Yes, it was devastating. I was in camp, I lost a lot of money flying with sparring partners, and there was a lot of heat in that fight as well. But it’s boxing – these things happen.

“I don’t think there’s a player who hasn’t had an injury. But now I’ve had a lot of time to fully recover and I’m back to sparring and doing really well in the gym.”

As mentioned, Edmondson will face Arthur, a former European champion, on the Ryan Garner vs. Michael Magnesi card.

With the home advantage and quite a number of tricks up his sleeve, “The Saint” is firmly convinced that he has beaten Arthur, who won a majority vote over Brad Rea in November.

“This is the fight we wanted, this is the fight we strived for and this is the fight that is happening.

“I believe I have the best team behind me and that we can beat anyone who comes in front of us. We know that [fight] it will take us into the air onto the world stage.

“He is a good player with whom I worked [Dmitry] Bivol i [Anthony] Yarde, but I wonder how much he’ll pay for it.

“There is a way to beat every player and we believe we have the right game plan [to beat Arthur]”

If he defeats Arthur, which is not certain, Edmondson will be ready for a fight with Buatsi, his stablemate from Queensberry Promotions.

Despite a controversial points victory over Zach Parker in November, Buatsi is still considered by many to be a top-10 featherlight heavyweight, especially considering his hard-fought fight against Callum Smith in February 2025.

However, according to Edmondson, the 33-year-old has now reached the stage where he is ready for the taking.

“If we get through [Arthur]we want Joshua Buatsi. I know I’m going to cause him massive, massive trouble. He’s a respected fighter, he has a massive name, but I know I have the style to beat him.

“Zach Parker should have made the decision. I think the Callum Smith fight took a lot out of him and I think Zach Parker’s style was wrong for him.”

Having identified several chinks in Buatsi’s armor, perhaps Edmondson will finally have the opportunity to expose them.

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Andy Cruz promises a different result if the rematch with Muratalla takes place after the Bell Eliminator

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Image: Andy Cruz vows different outcome if Muratalla rematch happens after Bell eliminator

“I really fought this fight like I was the champion and he was the challenger,” Andy Cruz told BoxeoCurbanoNetwork. “What happened was that I felt comfortable. I could have taken a little more risk, but I said that because he was the champion, I wasn’t going to risk getting hit with even one punch. I wanted to beat him cleanly. I wanted my punches to be as neat as possible.” I think I was a more effective fighter but I am aware that when you fight a champion, you have to rise well above the champion.”

Cruz (6-1, 3 KO) submitted Muratalla by a 12-round majority in a fight that many fans believed was closer than the official scores of 118-110, 116-112 and 114-114. It was the first professional defeat of Cruz’s career and his first fight scheduled for 12 rounds.

Despite the setback, Cruz said he gained valuable experience and still wants to finish unfinished business with the IBF lightweight champion.

“I wanted the rematch immediately, but it’s going to happen and I don’t mind,” Cruz said. “I can’t complain because I get a chance to fight for the title soon if I can get through this elimination. I can tell he knows he won’t face the same Andy Cruz.”

Before a second fight with Muratalla becomes a reality, Cruz must first defeat Albert Bell (28-0, 9 KO) on July 18 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. This fight is an IBF lightweight title eliminator.

The winner will be in position to fight Muratalla, who is scheduled to defend his IBF lightweight title against Robson Conceicao on August 1. If Muratalla retains the belt and remains at lightweight, the Bell-Cruz winner will be in line to fight for the championship.

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Terence Crawford claims there is a specific reason he didn’t knock out Canelo

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Terence Crawford says there is a specific reason he didn’t knock Canelo out

Terence Crawford dethroned Canelo Alvarez in September 2025 by unanimous decision.

Canelo has now lost three times in his career, defeating only elite fighters; Floyd Mayweather, Dmitry Bivol and Crawford. The four-division world champion from Mexico has never been stopped or even knocked down in his 68-fight career.

In his match against Crawford, Canelo suffered his first loss at super middleweight, even though Crawford had moved up significantly to capture Alvarez’s undisputed crown and become the first undisputed three-weight champion since Henry Armstrong in 1938. It was a comprehensive victory, but Alvarez once again didn’t look hurt despite 31 KOs on Bud’s ledger.

I keep talking The Joe Rogan experienceCrawford – who retired a few months after this latest victory – explained that he felt he was unable to keep the Mexican icon at bay due to his “ginger” genetics.

“They say redheads are difficult to knock out. It’s proven, I googled them, what are they called? Redheads. I assure you.”

“Yes, [they have a higher pain tolerance]I looked it up because my cousin is a nurse and she said, “Yes, those redheads, it’s difficult to put them to sleep even if you give them anesthetic to lend a hand them sleep.”

“When she told me that, I thought, ‘Damn! That’s why Canelo can take so many good shots.'”

Studies show that natural redheads often require approximately 20% more general anesthesia to maintain sedation and may be resistant to local anesthetics. Less explored is how this translates into the ring.

Alvarez will be looking to show his resilience again as he tries to regain the WBC super middleweight title on September 12 in Riyad, where will face newly crowned champion Christian Mbilli.

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