WATCH: Mike Tyson destroyed his tallest opponent Jose Ribalta after 10 brutal rounds

Mike Tyson has faced several formidable opponents, but the 6 ft 6, Jose Ribalta, was his tallest opponent.

WATCH: Mike Tyson destroyed his tallest opponent Jose Ribalta after 10 brutal rounds

Mike Tyson vs Jose Ribalta (image credit- The Sun)

Jose Ribalta and Mike Tyson faced each other in a professional boxing match on August 17, 1986. The fight took place at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. Tyson was already gaining a reputation as a rising star in the heavyweight division, known for his incredible power and aggressive fighting style. Similarly, Ribalta was a former Cuban professional boxer who competed in the heavyweight division. 

In addition, Ribalta was well-known for his toughness and resilience in the ring. As such, his career contributed to the broader landscape of heavyweight boxing during the 1980s and 1990s. Subsequently, Ribalta is 6 feet 6 and is known as the tallest opponent that Tyson has faced inside the ring. The bout between Ribalta and Mike Tyson ended in the 10th round, with Tyson securing a TKO victory. Tyson dominated the fight, showcasing his speed, precision, and powerful punches. 

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However, Ribalta, who was a tough and durable opponent, managed to hang in there for several rounds but was ultimately unable to withstand Tyson’s relentless attack. Furthermore, Ribalta’s fight against Mike Tyson in 1986 was one of the more high-profile bouts of his career. 

Similarly, the victory over Ribalta was another step in Tyson’s ascent to becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Hence, Tyson’s early career was marked by a series of quick and impressive victories, and this bout was no exception. 

 Related: “Seen Ali’s brain, I have an awesome brain” Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson reflects on brain damage
 

The biggest upset in boxing and Mike Tyson’s first loss 

The famous fight between Tyson and Buster Douglas is considered the biggest boxing upset. The fight took place on February 11, 1990, in Tokyo, Japan. At the time, Tyson was the undisputed heavyweight champion and was considered to be one of the most dominant and intimidating heavyweight champions. 

Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas
Mike Tyson and Buster Douglas (image credit- The Bleacher Report)

As such, Douglas was considered the underdog in this fight. In addition, Douglas’s mother had passed away just weeks before the fight, and he was not expected to pose a serious challenge to Tyson. However, in a stunning turn of events, Douglas put on a remarkable performance. 

In the 10th round, Douglas landed a powerful uppercut that knocked Tyson down to the canvas. Subsequently, Tyson failed to beat the count, and Douglas was declared the winner by knockout. Hence, the defeat marked the first loss of Tyson’s professional career and had a profound impact on the sport. 

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