Mike Tyson vs William Hosea 28.06.1986

In front of a restless crowd at the Houston Field House, Mike Tyson, the 19-year-old heavyweight wrecking ball from Catskill, stormed through William Hosea in just over two minutes, reaffirming his place as the most dangerous young fighter in the division. The bout, scheduled for ten rounds, never got out of first gear. With his trademark ferocity and explosive combinations, Tyson sent Hosea to the canvas at 2:03 of Round 1, collecting his 21st knockout in 23 fights.  The fight was just 15 days after dismantling Reggie Gross also in the first round.

Coming in at 217 pounds and ranked No. 2 by the WBC, Tyson wasted no time asserting his dominance. From the opening bell, he tore into Hosea with bruising body shots that echoed through the Field House. Though Hosea, a veteran from Bloomington, Illinois, weighing in at a career-high 215 pounds, managed to clip Tyson with a sharp left hook, the rising star wasn’t rattled. Tyson absorbed the shot and responded with a merciless barrage, targeting the ribs and midsection with surgical aggression.

The end came quickly. A thunderous left to the liver, followed by a snapping right to the ribs, buckled Hosea’s frame and sent him to his knees. Though he appeared to be collecting himself, Hosea couldn’t beat referee Harry Papacharalambous’ count, prompting a wave of disappointment from the roughly 1,200 spectators who wanted to see more action.

It was a disappointing outcome for Hosea, who entered the ring with a disputed record—some listing him at 17-3, others at 14-4. Regardless, this marked the first time the rugged Illinois fighter had been knocked out. Hosea estimated his purse at $10,000, but left the ring with more bruises than banknotes.

The victory keeps Tyson’s meteoric rise on track. Despite injuring his left hand in the fight—a concern as he prepares for a July 11 bout against Lorenzo Boyd—his march toward history continues. With televised showdowns against Marvis Frazier and David Bey on the horizon, Tyson is quickly closing in on a title shot.

If Saturday night in Troy proved anything, it’s that Iron Mike is not just the future of the heavyweight division—he may be its most terrifying present.