Mike Tyson vs Carl Williams 21.07.1989

In a lightning-fast demolition job worthy of a demolition crew, Mike Tyson retained his grip on the heavyweight throne with a blistering 93-second blitz of Carl “The Truth” Williams at the Convention Center in Atlantic City. The night was billed as a test of Tyson’s patience and Williams’ pedigree — but only one man got the final word, and it came from Tyson’s left hand.

From the opening bell, the undisputed champion stalked Williams with the calm intensity of a predator. Williams, a rangy technician and former title challenger, tried to establish his jab early, aiming to replicate the success he’d found against Tyson in amateur sparring years earlier. But those days were long gone — and so, soon, was Williams’ footing.

Just over a minute into the first round, the challenger flicked out a jab meant to measure Tyson’s distance. It was the wrong tool for the job. Tyson weaved under the punch and detonated a counter left hook that snapped Williams’ head and dropped him to the canvas like a sack of bricks.

Williams rose at the count of eight, arms hanging loosely, eyes vacant. Referee Randy Neumann took one hard look and waved it off, sparking immediate protests from Williams and a chorus of boos from the stunned Atlantic City crowd. The stoppage, though controversial, was grounded in concern. Neumann later explained that Williams appeared incoherent and was propped on the ropes, unable to meet his gaze or answer a simple question.

It was the second-quickest title fight of Tyson’s career, surpassed only by his 91-second obliteration of Michael Spinks a year prior. For Williams, it was heartbreak — a second failed bid for heavyweight glory and another reminder of how small the window of opportunity is when facing a prime Mike Tyson.

This win marked Tyson’s ninth defense of the WBC title, his eighth of the WBA belt, and sixth of the IBF crown — titles he guards like a pit bull with steel jaws. Promoter Don King, as ever, beamed from ringside, already teasing the next challenger.

Was it an early stoppage? Possibly. Would it have changed the outcome? Not likely. Tyson remains boxing’s most dangerous riddle — and on this night, “The Truth” simply couldn’t solve him fast enough.