Mike Tyson’s third professional outing ended with the same brutal efficiency as the first two—but this time, the knockout artist showed he could do more than just blast opponents out in the opening stanza. In front of a buzzing crowd at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, the 18-year-old heavyweight delivered a chilling fourth-round stoppage over veteran Don Halpin, improving his record to 3-0, all wins by knockout.

Billed as part of the “On the Road to the Championship” series, the bout showcased a more measured Tyson. Fans who paid between $10 and $15 were treated to a display of patience and precision rather than a quick demolition. From the opening bell, Tyson worked the body with thudding intent, targeting Halpin’s midsection with short, sharp hooks. The young phenom, tipping the scales at a career-light 212 pounds, stalked forward behind a tight guard, occasionally slipping into a southpaw stance to confuse his more experienced opponent.

Halpin, who entered the ring with a record of 10-18 and three consecutive knockout losses, was clearly cautious but game. He managed to sneak in a few jabs and even clipped Tyson with a clean hook at the end of the first round. But Tyson’s response in the following rounds was emphatic. By the second, his trademark power began to show, snapping Halpin’s head back with vicious uppercuts and combinations.

In the third, Tyson hurt Halpin with a wicked left-right salvo, pushing him back against the ropes and drawing gasps from the crowd. Halpin switched stances in an attempt to create openings but was met with relentless pressure.

The final round spelled doom. Just 39 seconds in, a left hook-right hand combo dropped Halpin to all fours. He beat the count but had little left in his legs. Tyson closed the show with a final flurry, punctuated by a devastating uppercut that broke Halpin’s nose and sent him crashing down again. The referee wisely waved it off without a count, as Halpin lay motionless and bloodied.

Tyson’s raw power was undeniable, but his willingness to slow the pace and showcase craft hinted at a more complete fighter in the making. The road to the top may still be long, but if this performance is any indication, Mike Tyson is traveling it at full speed.