Mike Tyson scored one of his most controversial knockouts against a helpless Don Halpin in just his third fight as a pro boxer.
In 1985, aged just 18 – two years before his iconic world title triumph – Tyson began his career in fine fashion with two first-round finishes.
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The young Tyson was ferociousCredit: Getty
Next, ‘Iron Mike’ was scheduled to step up slightly and face Halpin – a more experienced journeyman who held a record of ten wins, 18 losses at the time.
Halpin used this experience to survive early on, though Tyson admittedly started far slower than he had in his first two wins.
The fight commentator noted: “It’s almost as if his corner have said to him, ‘Listen, you don’t have to win every fight inside one round.'”
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In the fourth of this scheduled six-rounder, Tyson decided to dramatically increase the tempo.
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The prospect nailed the journeyman with a crunching right hand which saw him collapse against the ropes.
Halpin rose to his feet and fought on, but it only took a few seconds before a flurry of Tyson punches saw him fall once more.
This time he’d landed directly in the corner and the fight looked to be over.
However, the ruthless and relentless Tyson was not finished yet as he hurled one last uppercut which smashed his opponent in the head even though he was already down.
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Halpin was hammered by a late uppercut from TysonCredit: ESPN
‘Iron Mike’ escaped without punishment and jumped onto the ropes to celebrate.
Thankfully Halpin was not too badly hurt and continued his career afterwards.
Regardless, at just 18, Tyson’s sometimes-uncontrollable aggression was clear to see.
This would be the first of many controversies which would eventually see him become one of the most famous men on the planet.
His enormous celebrity status still carries to this day and now, almost 40 years later, he is set to return to the ring to face Jake Paul on July 20.
