Mike Tyson’s series of controversial fights continued on this present day in 1999.
While Tyson’s iconic knockouts within the heavyweight division will at all times see him remembered as a boxing icon, he also had quite a few disappointing bouts.
‘Iron Mike’ at all times had a popularity for ending the night early, which is why you couldn’t afford to miss any of his fights or look away from the screen.
Tyson continued to place opponents away in style after two of his most vital defeats in 1996 and 1997, but for several years, all of his outings were overshadowed by a special talking point.
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Mike Tyson was left frustrated after his fight with Orlin Norris resulted in a no contest
While each Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield were criticized for using dirty tactics of their two fights, ‘Iron Mike’ definitely got here off worse of their 1997 rematch.
A yr and a half on from him biting Holyfield and being disqualified within the third round, the previous champion faced off with Francois Botha.
Tyson secured the win but an assault charge and four-month prison sentence shortly followed this and prevented him from constructing any momentum.
The scary knockout artist returned to the ring on October 23, 1999, where he faced off with Orlin Norris on the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
While Tyson did drop Norris with an enormous shot in the primary round, it was clearly thrown after the bell, which led to the mainstream star being deducted two points.
Nonetheless, after Norris didn’t make his method to the middle of the ring for the beginning of the second round, the fight was ruled a no contest resulting from him claiming to have injured his knee when he was dropped by Tyson.
With the intention to stop Tyson from creating any more controversy, countless members of security immediately flooded the ring to stop him from attending to his opponent once he became visibly frustrated.
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Orlin Norris attempted to sue Mike Tyson after their planned rematch didn’t occur
Each Mike Tyson and Orlin Norris seemed to be preparing for a rematch, with December mentioned as a possible timeframe throughout the post-fight interviews contained in the ring.
Nonetheless, Tyson later modified direction, occurring to face Julius Francis on the MEN Arena in Manchester, England in January of 2000 as an alternative.
Because of this, Norris attempted to sue his former foe for $2 million for allegedly breaking an agreement they’d made for the rematch where he would’ve earned this amount as his purse.
Norris’ request was turned down by a judge, while ‘Iron Mike’ received his full purse from their first encounter after it was initially withheld by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.