Sunday Punch: The fastest KO of Mike Tyson’s career

Poor Marvis Frazier never stood a chance.

Peak Mike Tyson was one of the most terrifying fighters in the history of combat sports. Marvis Frazier, son of the legendary former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, found out the hard way.

Marvis was a fast-riser up the heavyweight ranks. After beating Joe Bugner, Frazier took on Larry Holmes in 1983 and it lasted all of two rounds. Frazier built himself back up and picked up wins over James Tillis and James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith, although Marvis was nowhere near the puncher his dad was.

And so we reach July 26th, 1986 in Glens Falls, New York. ABC televised this 10-round main event between Marvis and Mike Tyson. To give you an idea of how active ‘Iron’ Mike was, this was his 10th fight just in that calendar year. This included two fights in three weeks that went the full 10-round distance against Tillis and Mitch Green.

As for this fight? Well it lasted exactly 30 seconds, the fastest of Tyson’s career. Frazier did pretty much the worst possible thing and got himself trapped in the corner. Seconds after ABC analyst Alex Wallau said “Marvis must move or we’re going to be out of here very very quickly,” Tyson walloped Frazier with a right uppercut and then a four-piece to the dome that sent him into unconsciousness.

Watch the full video at the top of the page. The fight starts at 2:45.

Tyson (50-6-2 NCs, 44 KOs) would end 1986 by knocking out Trevor Berbick to win his first heavyweight title. Frazier (19-2, 8 KOs) only fought three more times against journeymen before retiring and eventually becoming an ordained minister.