Mike Tyson Scores 1st Round KO - Sterling Benjamin This Day November 1, 1985
- Mike Tyson 221 lbs
- Sterling Benjamin 227 lbs
- TKO at 0:54 in round 1 of 8
- Latham Coliseum, Latham, New York
- Referee: Sid Rubenstein
Notes:
Mike Tyson 10-0 (10 KOs) vs. Sterling Benjamin
Just three days after the fight, Tyson’s trainer, mentor, and father figure Cus D’Amato died of pneumonia.
Benjamin was coming off a 7th Round knockout loss to Tyrell Biggs (4-0) two months prior.
Tyson was one week removed from knocking out Robert Colay in 37 seconds.
Benjamin circled the ring and pumped out a rangy jab. A left hand put Benjamin down 24 seconds into the fight. Benjamin got to his feet at the count of eight. Tyson came forward and threw a barrage as Benjamin was backed against the ropes. A couple of right hooks to the body capped with a left hook to the body sent Benjamin down for the second time. Without completing the count, the referee waved an end to the bout.
Quotes:
“I was a little leery. I knew I was in there with a good fighter that went the distance with some good fighters and I was planning on just putting the pressure on him from the beginning to the end. I planned on coming out with a jab because I watched him in the de Wit fight and he was countering with the right hand good. Coming out in the first round, I got grazed with a right hand and from then on I knew just to slip my head and keep coming forward.” - Mike Tyson in the post-fight interview
“He has a sledgehammer, mon. When I go down I feel it. He really hits hard. It’s the hardest I ever been hit. The hardest of my whole career, man.” - Sterling Benjamin in the post-fight interview