Pro Boxing

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WBC

16th March 1996: Frank Bruno (reigning WBC champ) vs Mike Tyson (3rd match after release from prison)

Prematch banter

Bruno: I'm 210% confident I'll beat him. I went through 161 sparring rounds for this match. I'm a different person from the guy he beat in 1989.

Tyson: I beat him once and I'll beat him again.

The bout: Bruno, 34 was beaten into submission (TKO) by Iron Mike, 30 in the 3rd round. Frank just couldn't handle the ferocity and speed of Mikhail.

Postmatch banter

Bruno: I did my best but obviously it wasn't good enough.

WBA

7th September 1996: Bruce Seldon (reigning WBA champ) vs Mike Tyson (reigning WBC champ)

The bout: Seldon was psychologically destroyed even before stepping into the ring. Gone were the free-flowing talk and easy demeanour. He basically ran away from Tyson's barrage of punches. And a mere head graze brought him down. The expression on his face as he stumbled up: pure bewilderment. I have never seen such a streetwise, heavily muscled world boxing champion at the prime of his life look so frightened. Result: out in 109 seconds. This brought home the shocking fact that Tyson can defeat you even before stepping into the ring. Next, Michael Moorer's IBF crown, for the undisputed champion title and get rid of all this WBA/WBC/IBF/WBO mess.

Money count: Tyson got US$25 million, Seldon US$15 million. Brought Tyson's post-prison earnings to a staggering >US$90 million.

9th November 1996: Mike Tyson (reigning WBC and WBA champ) vs Evander Holyfield

The bout: Holyfield stunned the world by knocking out Tyson in the 11th round.

Money count: Tyson got about US$30 million, Holyfield about US$12 million.

28th June 1997: Evander Holyfield (reigning WBA champ) vs Mike Tyson (aka Holyfield v Tyson II)

The bout: Holyfield proved once and for all that he is better than Tyson. Dominating the most part of the match (went to only 3 rounds), he was well on the way to victory when Tyson, frustrated and desperate because of Holyfield's domination of him, bit both his ear. Disqualification and possible banning for life followed naturally. Inspired headlines the world over: "Chump Chomps Champ", "Savage", "Ban the Beast", "World Chomp Tyson chews ear off", "The bite of the century" and "Bite to the finish".

Money count: Tyson might get 10% less from US$30 million, Holyfield about US$35 million.

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