After the shocking upset that shocked the world, there was supposed to be an immediate rematch. Tyson was adamantly seeking to get an immediate rematch, but Douglas, his team or both seemed reluctant - (maybe in fear of a case as lightning striking twice). In a HBO special sit down between Tyson & Douglas hosted by Larry Merchant - you can see who wanted the rematch. In fact, near the end at 41:27, Tyson hilariously said that if Buster wants to prove he's a champion, then he'll run it back with him, unless he wants to run off to Evander. What are your thoughts? This content is protected
Initially he was gonna give Tyson a rematch, but after all the BS with the long count and lawsuits he didn't want nothing to do with Tyson or Don King. Douglas only considered a rematch after he got the chance to fight Holyfield and Foreman.
Wish he'd taken the rematch with Tyson. It would have been sold out within hours. Did he duck the rematch? Well if he'd been in shape he'd have been confident in beating him again but he took the Holy fight, so idk.
Mike not training properly is a FACT. Douglas being a damn good boxer is another FACT. Most knowledgeable Tyson fans will tell you Douglas was a great boxer. Only Tyson haters deny this and say he was a bum/nobody etc. Douglas simply did not achieve more cause he didn't like boxing that much, thus he did not enjoy to train. He promised his mother on her death bed he'd be champ and he gave it his all for the Tyson fight.
Yes. Buster was an underachiever who showed flashes of greatness, but never had the discipline to maintain it. He came close to beating Tony Tucker in 87 for the vacant IBF belt- but came up short. It would have been interesting to see him & Mike in a undisputed clash rather than Tucker.
I remember that. I think it was more Don & his politicking than Mike - who just went along with it in order to get a rematch. Either way, I think the rematch should have happened.
I think Tyson.. Just. Tyson was so good in that short time, we all know that. But Buster spanked him. Take out the Douglas kd and can we give Tyson a round? I know the judges did but most didn't to be truthful. Let's say Tyson comes in, has he did against Biggs, and Buster from Toyko. Then I see it being an extremely close fight where Douglas puts up a great fight but Tyson a bit faster off the mark. So by the last round, Tyson s in front but his eyes closed again and he's starting to stumble. But it's to late for Buster and he loses by a tight as a ducks bum decision. Definitely deserves a rubber match!
No. He was offered 25 million for facing his mandatory and lost convincingly and retired Meanwhile Tyson had other fights lined up and shortly thereafter went to jail
No, it was the headaches from all the legal disputes (King claimed Douglas was under his contract and he wasn't, it was a short deal and not a long commitment IIRC), team Tyson not giving him credit, Don King trying to claim a long count and attempting to reinstate Tyson, etc. It's somewhat similar to the Lopez/Lomachenko upset. The wrong guy one and now everyone is playing damage control and not giving the underdog credit.
Yeah...but the BIGGEST hit. One that resounds to this very day, and probably ain't ever going away. Mike was in his prime.
If Mike had knocked out Buster there wouldn’t have been a rematch. Buster didn’t owe him one. Mike and Don King didn’t put a rematch clause in the contract and Evander was the mandatory. King tried to have the first result declared null and Buster said screw you guys, I’m not dealing with this snake again. Can’t say I blame him. He’s probably still waiting for the check from the first fight to clear.
They were supposed to fight again in October 1999, but Tyson's camp turned it down because they didn't feel Douglas would be a ready, fit opponent at that point. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/buster-ducks-tyson-rematch/
