After Iron Mike Tyson’s dominating victory over Frank Bruno five months prior….negotiations for a potential bout with Carl Williams began….and on June 15, 1989….the fight was made official.Four years earlier, Williams had challenged then-IBF Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes for the title….only to narrowly lose by unanimous decision. Prior to his fight with Tyson, Williams had won his previous five fights….including a victory over former champion Trevor Berbick which got him back into contention.
The fight would only last 93 seconds….becoming Tyson’s second quickest title fight….after his 91-second victory over Michael Spinks the previous year. Tyson and Williams began the fight trading punches with each other….though Tyson’s aggressiveness caused Williams to hold several times. About 76 seconds into the round, Williams attempted to hit Tyson with a left jab….as Tyson countered and hit Williams with a left hook that sent Williams to the canvas. Though Williams was able to get back on his feet and was seemingly ready to continue the fight….referee Randy Neumann controversially stopped the fight and awarded Tyson the victory by technical knockout.
Because of the controversial nature of Tyson’s victory….both Williams and his manager Ira Leibowitz urged the WBA, WBC and IBF to change the ruling Tyson victory to no-contest….while also demanding a rematch between the two….however, all three boxing organizations….as well as Tyson’s camp refused a Tyson–Williams rematch….with Don King’s spokesman stating that Williams would have to “go out and knock out a few good fighters” before a rematch with Tyson could happen.
Tyson’s victory over Williams would mark the last successful defense of his Undisputed Heavyweight Championship. His next fight would be against little-known James “Buster” Douglas on February 11, 1990, in Tokyo, Japan. Despite being a 42-1 underdog….which for the first time in heavyweight championship boxing history that Las Vegas book-makers would not take a bet on the fight….but rather only on whether the fight would go past 5 rounds. Douglas was able to knock out Tyson in the 10th round to pull off the biggest upset in heavyweight boxing history….becoming the new Undisputed Champion.
