Mike Tyson Then and Now: Photos and Records Confirming His 1966 Birth Year
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
On November 22, 1986, Tyson entered the ring at the Las Vegas Hilton to face WBC champion Trevor Berbick. Tyson was exactly 20 years, 144 days old. Berbick had won the belt months earlier and possessed superior reach, but Tyson overwhelmed him immediately with vicious hooks and lateral slipping.
At 2 minutes and 35 seconds of the second round, a left hook dropped Berbick to the canvas. Berbick attempted to stand twice, his legs failing completely under concussive shock, forcing referee Mills Lane to stop the fight. Tyson took the green WBC belt, shattering Floyd Patterson's 1956 record (21 years, 330 days) and Muhammad Ali’s 1964 mark (22 years, 39 days).
The victory launched Tyson into global superstardom and began his systematic unification of the division. By August 1987, he had defeated James "Bonecrusher" Smith for the WBA belt and Tony Tucker for the IBF title, becoming the first heavyweight to hold all three major sanctioning belts simultaneously. He capped this dominant run in June 1988 by knocking out lineal champion Michael Spinks in 91 seconds.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
