Tony Craig Tucker Is an American former professional boxer from 1980 to 1998…. who won the IBF heavyweight title on May 30, 1987….in this title fight seen below with Buster Douglas….but holds the unenviable distinction of being the shortest-reigning world heavyweight champion in history at only 64 days….when he went the distance against Iron Mike Tyson in August 1987.
As an amateur, Tucker won the 1979 United States national championships and a gold medal at the 1979 Pan American Games, both in the light heavyweight division.
Home Box Office and Don King Productions orchestrated a Heavyweight unification series for 1987….while planning among its bouts a match between reigning IBF champion Michael Spinks and Tucker….but Spinks refused to face Tucker and opting instead for a more lucrative bout with Gerry Cooney. The IBF withdrew its championship recognition of Spinks on February 19….mandating that Tucker as the IBF’s # 1 ranked contender would face its # 2 contender, Buster Douglas. Tucker won the bout, and the vacant IBF crown, via 10th round technical knockout.
James “Buster” Douglas is an American former professional boxer from 1981 to 1990 and then again from1996 to 1999….who is best known for his stunning upset of Iron Mike Tyson on February 11, 1990 in Tokyo to win the undisputed heavyweight title. At the time Tyson was undefeated and considered to be the best boxer in the world….as well as one of the most feared heavyweight champions in history due to his domination of the division over the previous three years. The only casino to make odds for the fight…. while all others declined to do so as they considered the fight such a foregone conclusion….had Douglas as a 42-to-1 underdog for the fight….which made his victory, in commentator Jim Lampley’s words, “The biggest upset in the history of heavyweight championship fights.” Douglas held the title for eight months and two weeks….then lost on October 25, 1990 to Evander Holyfield via a third-round knockout, in his only title defense.
However, as seen in this video in his 1st world championship title fight against Tony Tucker….big Buster didn’t fair so well….as he lost in the 10th by TKO….however, this was still a very good fight that is well worth the watch.
