Mike Tyson hitting the pads at 19 years old is a truly terrifying sight

Mike Tyson had his first professional fight over 30 years ago, at the age of 18.

Nowadays, ‘Iron Mike’ is a man who needs no introduction.

But there was a time when the American, who became the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history, was almost completely unknown to the rest of the world.

On March 6, 1985, Tyson made his debut against Hector Mercedes in New York. He won the fight by technical knockout in round one.

By the age of 19, the 55-year-old ring legend had already competed four times professionally, finishing all but one of his opponents in the first round.

It’s also worth pointing out he had had 15 fights by the end of his first year as a professional.

In the clip below, you can see the ferocity the American possessed even at the age of 19 – and the fact his coach had to take a couple of steps backwards despite being a fully grown man shows what a powerful individual he has always been.

Check out the video below…

Mike Tyson hitting the pads at 19 yrs oldpic.twitter.com/rzu9QCpqY2

Tyson officially retired in 2005 after losing to journeyman Kevin McBride, 48, in what would turn out to be the last fight of his career.

But he has returned twice since then, both in exhibitions, starting with a non-scored bout with South African boxer Corey Sanders in October 2006.

More recently, in November 2020 he fought to a thrilling draw with fellow legend Roy Jones Jr, 52, who weighed ten stone lighter.

Despite having previously expressed interest in a rematch with old rival Lennox Lewis, Tyson insists it was his last cameo in the ring, and will instead focus on continuing to grow his cannabis business.

He said recently: “It was just fun at first. If it was back when I first started, yes, and we were both fighting