Mike Tyson’s twenty-seventh professional fight took place against Alfonzo Ratliff on September 6, 1986, at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tyson, with an undefeated record of 26-0, was on a meteoric rise in the heavyweight division, and this bout against Ratliff was another stepping stone towards his ultimate goal of becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion. Let’s dive into a detailed, round-by-round account of this fight in a casual, storytelling voice.
Build-Up to the Fight
Mike Tyson was the name on everyone’s lips in the boxing world. With twenty-six straight wins, almost all by knockout, Tyson was seen as the future of the heavyweight division. Alfonzo Ratliff, a former cruiserweight champion, was known for his height, reach, and defensive skills. Many expected Ratliff to test Tyson’s ability to deal with a taller opponent who could box from the outside. The atmosphere was electric as fans filled the Hilton Hotel, eager to see if Tyson could continue his streak of early finishes.
Round 1: Tyson’s Aggressive Start
As the bell rang for the first round, Tyson came out of his corner with his usual intensity. Ratliff, aware of Tyson’s reputation, kept his guard high and moved cautiously around the ring. Tyson, in his low, bobbing stance, immediately went on the offensive, pressing forward with his signature aggression.
Tyson wasted no time in closing the distance. He landed a sharp left hook to Ratliff’s body, followed by a right hook to the head. Ratliff tried to keep Tyson at bay with his jab, but Tyson slipped the punches effortlessly and countered with powerful shots of his own. Tyson’s speed and power were evident as he landed a flurry of hooks and uppercuts, forcing Ratliff to cover up and retreat.
The crowd was already on its feet, cheering for Tyson’s relentless aggression. Ratliff managed to land a few jabs, but they did little to deter Tyson, who kept pressing forward. Near the end of the round, Tyson landed a brutal right uppercut that snapped Ratliff’s head back, drawing a gasp from the audience. The bell rang, and Ratliff looked relieved to have survived the opening round.
Round 2: Ratliff’s Defense
The second round began with Ratliff using his jab and footwork to keep Tyson at a distance. Tyson, in his usual aggressive style, kept pressing forward, looking to land big shots. Ratliff, however, was more elusive in this round, moving around the ring and using his jab effectively to disrupt Tyson’s rhythm.
Tyson landed a few hard shots to the body, but Ratliff responded with quick counters and jabs. The veteran’s experience was showing, as he was able to avoid some of Tyson’s most powerful punches. Tyson continued to press the action, but Ratliff’s movement and defense were making it difficult for him to land clean, effective punches.
The crowd was impressed with Ratliff’s ability to handle Tyson’s aggression. As the round ended, it was clear that Ratliff was not going to be an easy opponent for the young knockout artist.
Round 3: Tyson’s Persistence
As the third round commenced, Tyson came out with the same determination, ready to break through Ratliff’s defenses. Ratliff continued to use his jab and footwork to keep Tyson at bay, but Tyson’s relentless pressure was beginning to wear him down.
Tyson landed a powerful left hook to Ratliff’s body, causing him to wince in pain. Sensing an opportunity, Tyson unleashed a combination of hooks and uppercuts that had Ratliff on the defensive. Ratliff, showing his resilience, managed to avoid getting pinned against the ropes and fought back with quick jabs and counters.
The crowd was on its feet, cheering for both fighters—Tyson for his relentless aggression and Ratliff for his resilience and skill. The round ended with both fighters having their moments, but Tyson’s pressure was starting to make a difference.
Round 4: Tyson’s Dominance
The fourth round began with Tyson continuing to press the action. Ratliff, visibly exhausted and battered, tried to keep his distance, but Tyson’s relentless pressure left him with no room to maneuver. Tyson landed a powerful right hook to Ratliff’s body, followed by a left hook to the head that sent Ratliff reeling.
Tyson’s combination of speed, power, and aggression was overwhelming. He landed a series of brutal hooks and uppercuts, forcing Ratliff to cover up and retreat. The referee was watching closely as Tyson continued his assault, landing punch after punch with precision and power.
Ratliff, showing incredible heart, continued to absorb Tyson’s punches and fight back when he could. The crowd was on its feet, cheering for both fighters—Tyson for his dominance and Ratliff for his resilience. The round ended with Tyson firmly in control, but Ratliff still standing.
Round 5: Tyson’s Power
As the fifth round commenced, Tyson came out determined to finish the fight. Ratliff, visibly tired but still fighting, tried to use his jab and footwork to keep Tyson at bay. Tyson, however, was relentless, landing powerful hooks and uppercuts that had Ratliff on the defensive.
Tyson landed a powerful right hook to Ratliff’s body, followed by a left hook to the head that sent Ratliff reeling. The referee was watching closely as Tyson moved in for the kill. He landed another series of powerful hooks to Ratliff’s head and body, but Ratliff, showing incredible heart, managed to stay on his feet.
The crowd was roaring, sensing that a knockout was imminent. Tyson kept pressing forward, landing punch after punch, but Ratliff’s resilience allowed him to survive the round. The veteran was giving Tyson one of the toughest fights of his career so far.
Round 6: Tyson’s Persistence
The sixth round began with Tyson continuing to press the action. Ratliff, visibly exhausted and battered, tried to keep his distance, but Tyson’s relentless pressure left him with no room to maneuver. Tyson landed a powerful right hook to Ratliff’s body, followed by a left hook to the head that sent Ratliff reeling.
Tyson’s combination of speed, power, and aggression was overwhelming. He landed a series of brutal hooks and uppercuts, forcing Ratliff to cover up and retreat. The referee was watching closely as Tyson continued his assault, landing punch after punch with precision and power.
Ratliff, showing incredible heart, continued to absorb Tyson’s punches and fight back when he could. The crowd was on its feet, cheering for both fighters—Tyson for his dominance and Ratliff for his resilience. The round ended with Tyson firmly in control, but Ratliff still standing.
Round 7: Tyson’s Determination
As the seventh round commenced, Tyson came out with the same determination, ready to finish the fight. Ratliff, visibly tired but still fighting, tried to use his jab and footwork to keep Tyson at bay. Tyson, however, was relentless, landing powerful hooks and uppercuts that had Ratliff on the defensive.
Tyson landed a powerful right hook to Ratliff’s body, followed by a left hook to the head that sent Ratliff reeling. The referee was watching closely as Tyson moved in for the kill. He landed another series of powerful hooks to Ratliff’s head and body, but Ratliff, showing incredible heart, managed to stay on his feet.
The crowd was roaring, sensing that a knockout was imminent. Tyson kept pressing forward, landing punch after punch, but Ratliff’s resilience allowed him to survive the round. The veteran was giving Tyson one of the toughest fights of his career so far.
Round 8: The Knockout
As the eighth round began, Tyson came out with a look of determination, ready to finish the fight. Ratliff, visibly exhausted and battered, tried to keep his distance, but Tyson’s relentless pressure left him with no room to maneuver. Tyson landed a powerful right hook to Ratliff’s body, followed by a left hook to the head that sent Ratliff crashing to the canvas.
The referee began the count as Ratliff struggled to get up. He managed to rise at the count of eight, but he was clearly dazed and unsteady on his feet. The referee took a close look and decided to let the fight continue, much to the delight of the crowd.
Tyson wasted no time. He moved in quickly and landed a series of devastating punches—a right uppercut followed by a left hook that snapped Ratliff’s head back once again. Ratliff fell to the canvas for the second time, and this time it was clear that he wouldn’t be getting up. The referee waved off the fight, declaring Tyson the winner by knockout.
The Aftermath
Tyson’s victory over Alfonzo Ratliff was another impressive display of his power and aggression. With twenty-seven knockout wins in his first twenty-seven professional fights, Tyson was rapidly becoming the most talked-about young boxer in the sport. His performance against Ratliff solidified his reputation as a devastating knockout artist.
For Ratliff, the fight was a tough loss, but he had the distinction of facing a future legend. Tyson’s ability to dismantle his opponents with such ease was a testament to his training and natural talent.
Legacy of the Fight
The fight against Alfonzo Ratliff was another significant step in Tyson’s early career. It showcased his incredible power, relentless aggression, and ability to overwhelm opponents quickly. This fight, like his previous bouts, was a clear indication that Tyson was destined for greatness in the heavyweight division.
