“Stop Being So Harsh”: Unsettling Photo of Mike Tyson’s Injuries Brings Back Painful Memories for Fans

From the time he debuted, it seemed that Mike Tyson would remain unbeatable, for such was the magnitude of his sheer presence in the ring. But all those notions changed on February 11, 1990. His opponent, the six-foot and three-and-a-half-inch tall Ohioan, James ‘Buster’ Douglas, stepped into the Tokyo Dome ring with different thoughts. He came for a fight, and a fight he gave. Despite Tyson’s resistance, crowds could see that it was not the ‘Mike Tyson’ they were used to seeing.

‘Iron’ Mike seemed absent. On the other hand, his mother’s demise barely twenty-three days before the bout renewed Douglas’ resolve to win. At times, such as during the eighth round when he had sent Douglas to the canvas with an uppercut, rekindled hopes, but it was too little, too late. By the tenth round, a barrage of combinations from Douglas sealed Tyson’s fate.

Many fans, especially those who had seen the bout, still remember it for the hammering Mike Tyson received. An old pic of Mike Tyson, sitting in his corner with swollen left eyes, must have made quite a few nostalgic, for they soon joined in expressing their thoughts.

With the photo having resurfaced online, netizens poured their reactions to it.

Fans react to Mike Tyson’s old photo

@Duch Moll thinks that Mike Tyson looks frightening even with a single eye, “Even with one eye, it’s scary. Well done, boss.“

@Marlon Bodhi Metz believes, “This fight was a joke. Mentally Mike was not even there. He had lost the fight even before he entered the ring. He had no interest in that fight besides from a little pocket money.” Many fans today lament that ‘Iron’ Mike was not his usual self at Tokyo Dome on February 11, 1990.

The old pic allowed @Juan Bruce to take a dig, as they said, “Stop been so harsh. Tyson was only concetrating on the ring girl.” But, like many, @Juan Bruce also thought that Mike Tyson wasn’t so focused that day.

@Michael Hutton said, “Clown trainer didn’t even have an enswell in the corner. They were putting a rubber glove filled with water against his eye…which did nothing. All I could think of at the time was, WTF?!?!” Indeed, many fans believe that parting with long-time trainer Kevin Rooney was Mike Tyson’s undoing. As a result, the newly installed crew proved inept in handling such big matches.  

@Paul Spoonmore revealed that he got lucky that day. Going against the drift, he had put his money on ‘Buster’ Douglas to win. Though he still rates Mike Tyson as the best Heavyweight of all time, a few mistakes, such as removing Kevin Rooney, proved too costly, “I won a lot of money on that fight…once I bet on Buster at the house…..meanwhile, Mike fired Kevin Rooney…, and Don King gave him this ridiculous corner who knew nothing…Mike would have never lost under Rooney, but he got his ass kicked this day …I still say Mike was the best fighter of all time, including Ali… had he never fired Rooney…”

@Jimmie Comage also toed a similar line about the trainer issue with Mike Tyson and highlighted, “That man that stand there he should have never been Tyson trainer that why losts all of those fight …”

By the following year, troubles in his personal life precipitated Mike Tyson’s downfall. Despite a brief interlude in the late nineties,  problems cornered him till he retired in 2005.

Read More: Mike Tyson, Who Almost Died of Overdose, Reveals the Secret of Overcoming Cocaine and Alcohol Abuse

What is your take on Mike Tyson vs ‘Buster’ Douglas match? Share your views and opinions with us in the comments below.

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