Mike Tyson vs. Lou Savarese

Tyson's Back
Date24 June 2000
VenueHampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Mike Tyson United States Lou Savarese
Nickname "Iron"
Hometown Catskill, New York, US Houston, Texas, US
Pre-fight record 47–3 (1) (41 KO) 39–3 (32 KO)
Age 33 years, 11 months 34 years, 11 months
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 222 lb (101 kg) 241+1⁄4 lb (109 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition WBO
No. 1 Ranked Heavyweight
WBA
No. 4 Ranked Heavyweight[1]
IBF
No. 8 Ranked Heavyweight
Former undisputed heavyweight champion		 WBC
No. 17 Ranked Heavyweight
Result
Tyson wins via 1st-round TKO

Mike Tyson vs. Lou Savarese, billed as Tyson's Back, was a professional boxing match contested on June 24, 2000.[2]

Background

[edit]

Mike Tyson embarked on a comeback in 1999, marking his return to the ring after a nine-month hiatus, primarily due to a four-month prison sentence.[3] His comeback journey began with a victory on January 16, 1999, when he knocked out former world title challenger Francois Botha in the fifth round. Following this, Tyson faced former WBA Cruiserweight champion Orlin Norris, but their bout ended in a no-contest due to an accidental punch that landed after the bell.[4]

Three months later, Tyson had his first-ever fight in the United Kingdom, defeating British journeyman Julius Francis by a second-round knockout. In February 2000, Tyson announced his next opponent, fringe contender Lou Savarese. Initially slated for Milan in May,[5] the bout was postponed after Tyson reportedly needed more time to train.[6] The fight was then moved to Hampden Park in Glasgow, and rescheduled for 24 June. The decision to allow Tyson back into the United Kingdom sparked protests due to his prior rape conviction,[7] but Glasgow City Council ultimately voted 10–1 in favor of permitting the match to proceed.[8]

The fights

[edit]

Undercard

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The undercard saw Commonwealth heavyweight champion Danny Williams stop Craig Bowen Price in the 1st round. Adam Watt defeat Bruce Scott by 4th round stoppage to win the vacant Commonwealth cruiserweight title.[9]

Former WBC super middleweight champion Robin Reid made his return to ring to the ring after 16 months, following his split decision loss to Joe Calzaghe, against Silvio Branco. Branco would upset Reid with a unanimous decision victory.

Judah vs. Witter

[edit]
Tyson's Back: Zab Judah vs. Junior Witter
Title(s) on the lineIBF light welterweight title
Tale of the tape
Boxer United States Zab Judah United Kingdom Junior Witter
Nickname "Super" "The Hitter"
Hometown Brownsville, New York, U.S. Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK
Pre-fight record 23–0 (1) (17 KO) 15–0–2 (4 KO)
Age 22 years, 7 months 26 years, 3 months
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight 139+3⁄4 lb (63 kg) 139+1⁄4 lb (63 kg)
Style Southpaw Orthodox
Recognition IBF
Light Welterweight Champion		 Former WBF light welterweight champion
Result
Judah defeats Witter by unanimous decision

In the chief support, IBF light welterweight champion Zab Judah faced late replacement Junior Witter.[10] Judah was originally set to face British light welterweight champion (and IBF 5th ranked) Jason Rowland however he was forced to pull out after one of his pitbull terriers bit off part of his left index finger.[11]

The fight

[edit]

It would prove to be an awkward fight for Judah, as Witter rarely engaged in an extended exchange of punches. The challenger would also frequently switch between fighting right-handed and left-handed, making him an elusive opponent. Judah's consistent body punching slowed Witter down, and in the fifth round, Judah caught Witter with a straight left hand that hurt Witter and sent his mouthpiece skittering across the ring.

The fight went the full 12 rounds, where Judah defeated Witter by unanimous decision. the scorecards reading 116–112, 118–111 and 118–110.[12]

Preceded by
vs. Jan Piet Bergman
 Zab Judah's bouts
24 June 2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
vs. Arv Mittoo
 Junior Witter's bouts
24 June 2000 		Succeeded by
vs. Steve Conway

Main Event

[edit]

In the bout with Savarese, Tyson made a swift impact with a left hand that sent Savarese to the canvas.[13] Savarese managed to rise but faced a relentless onslaught from Tyson. Referee John Coyle attempted to intervene at 26 seconds, but Tyson continued to attack, even briefly taking down Coyle. Tyson's corner eventually entered the ring, and he regained his composure. The fight was declared a technical knockout victory for Tyson after only 38 seconds of action.[14] It was the second quickest fight of his career, behind only his 30-second victory over Marvis Frazier in 1986.

Aftermath

[edit]

During his post-fight interview with Jim Gray of Showtime, Tyson called out Lennox Lewis, stating, "I was gonna rip his heart out. I'm the best ever. I'm the most brutal and vicious, the most ruthless champion there has ever been. No one can stop me. Lennox is a conqueror? No! He's no Alexander! I'm Alexander! I'm the best ever. I'm Sonny Liston. I'm Jack Dempsey. There's never been anyone like me. I'm from their cloth. There is no one who can match me. My style is impetuous, my defense is impregnable, and I'm just ferocious. I want your heart! I want to eat his children! Praise to Allah."[15][16][17]

Undercard

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Confirmed bouts:[18]

Broadcasting

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Country Broadcaster
 United Kingdom Sky Sports
 United States Showtime

References

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  1. ^ "FightNews.com World Boxing Rankings". fightnews.com. FightNews.com. 12 June 2000. Archived from the original on 20 June 2000. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Mike Tyson vs. Lou Savarese". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  3. ^ "BOXING; Tyson Released Early From Jail for Good Behavior". The New York Times. 25 May 1999. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  4. ^ Freeman, Mike (24 October 1999). "BOXING; In Bizarre Ending, Tyson Bout Is Declared a No Contest". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  5. ^ "Tyson And Savarese Set May Bout In Italy". philly.com. 11 March 2000. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  6. ^ "Tyson-Savarese fight postponed to June 24". ESPN.com Boxing. 26 April 2000. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  7. ^ "Tyson Visa Sparks Protests". The New York Times. 19 May 2000. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  8. ^ "Tyson Fight Protested Again". The New York Times. 18 June 2000. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  9. ^ "British champ leads Tyson undercard". BBC. 5 June 2000. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  10. ^ "Zab Judah vs. Junior Witter". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  11. ^ Bunce, Steve (2000) "Rowland aims to be on top of the world", The Independent, 19 October 2000. Retrieved 2 January 2016
  12. ^ "BOXING; Judah Wins in Title Defense". The New York Times. 25 June 2000. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  13. ^ Smith, Tyrone (24 June 2020). "Lou Savarese recalls Hampden bout with Mike Tyson 20 years on". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  14. ^ Peck, Joshua (25 June 2020). "Mike Tyson beat Lou Savarese in 38 seconds despite taking drugs before". Daily Star. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  15. ^ Reid, Alex (24 June 2022). "Mike Tyson dropped Lou Savarese with his first punch and floored the ref in 38-second win". talkSPORT. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  16. ^ Alasdair Lamont (25 June 2000). "Anger as Tyson walks it". BBC. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  17. ^ Chris Bushnell. "Tyson unleashes his rage on Savarese". boxingchronicle.com. Boxing Chronicle. Archived from the original on 25 January 2001. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  18. ^ "BoxRec - event".
Preceded by Mike Tyson's bouts
24 June 2000 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lou Savarese's bouts
24 June 2000 		Succeeded by
vs. Marcus Rhode
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