‘Absolutely ferocious’ – Mike Tyson at his peak completely flattened rival with one punch in 91-second KO

Mike Tyson's ring walk lasted longer than his bout against Michael Spinks.

Appearing on talkSPORT Drive yesterday, Adam Smith discussed Tyson's legendary moment in the ring with Spinks.

“The story goes that Tyson punched a hole in the locker room before the fight, he was in the sort of state and mindset," the celebrated broadcaster recalled.

He continued: “He was absolutely ferocious, the whole thing was over in a minute and a half and I think he would have been probably beaten, maybe [Muhammad] Ali aside, any heavyweight in history on that particular night."

Tyson became the heavyweight world champion by unifying all of the belts against Michael Spinks 37 years ago, in June 1988.

The 31-year-old former light-heavyweight champion and lineal heavyweight titleholder was earning £13.5 million to take on 'Iron Mike' Tyson.

In a bid to play mind games before the bout, Spinks’ manager, Butch Lewis, insisted that Tyson’s hands be re-wrapped — a demand that caused a significant delay.

At least the delay for the main event gave cameras plenty of time to focus in on Willis and his unsubtle hat among a star-studded ringside crowd.

TV actor Bruce Willis was seated ringside for the bout, waging a publicity battle for what was considered a high-stakes gamble: his new film Die Hard.

But rather than unsettling Tyson, it only seemed to irritate him further, fuelling the aggression of an already volatile and fired-up fighter.

“That was his definitive peak, he was absolutely menacing. I urge anyone just to go back and spend a couple of minutes of your time tonight just watching it again, it was something quite extraordinary.

Tyson's ring walk that night was his final act of intimidation.

Iron Mike emerged angry, bare-chested, dead-eyed and accompanied by no music.

Instead, a sinister collection of metallic clanging and banging rang out as he approached the ring. 

Tyson’s ring entrance lasted longer than the bout, as Spink was banged about the ring and pulverised in 91 seconds.

This knock-out is viewed retrospectively as Tyson’s defining victory, despite the undisputed heavyweight champion being only 21 years old. 

In what was labelled the most anticipated heavyweight fight since the reign of Muhammad Ali, the Don King-promoted Tyson earned a supposed $22 million for half a round of boxing.

The card billed as ‘Once and For All’ grossed $70 million, making it the richest fight in boxing history at the time.

Tyson went on to fight in some huge nights including against his most famous rivals in Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis.

He most recently returned in a shock outing against Jake Paul in 2025, which ended in disaster as he lost on points.