TWENTY-SEVEN years ago on this month, the greatest upset in boxing history happened one chilly morning in Tokyo, Japan.
The 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas, proud son of Columbus, Ohio, shocked the world when he battered from pillar to post then undefeated heavyweight champion Iron Mike Tyson.
The end came in the 10th round when Douglas, who overcame an 8th round knockdown scare, impaired Tyson with a four-punch combo to claim a win widely believed to be his meal ticket.
In an exclusive phone interview with the Bulletin/Tempo, Douglas revealed that February 11, the date of his masterful performance, remains to be just an ordinary day.
“It’s usually a normal day until somebody reminds me of that. But it’s truly a great moment that I will always remember,” said Douglas.
While the victory changed Douglas’ life in a better way for the most part, it also led him to several situations that nearly cost his life.
Douglas, who will turn 57 this April, was a rock star for a few months since that monumental win until his reign ended eight months later when he was knocked out in the third round by fellow American Evander Holyfield.
The loss led critics to recall ugly insinuations about Douglas and his supposed lack of heart and erratic work ethic to the point of labeling his win over Tyson simply as a one-hit wonder.
“I was not getting the respect I deserve,” said Douglas.
Douglas was tagged as a fighter with enormous talent but had little determination when it comes to maximizing his potentials.
But on his best night, he was one hell of fighter as he beat future champion Oliver McCall and ex-titleholder Greg Page, crucial wins which Douglas feels were well enough for him to be considered a true heavyweight contender.
Three years before battling Tyson, Douglas was about to become a world heavyweight champion after establishing a comfortable lead halfway through his International Boxing Federation (IBF) 15-round title fight opposite an unbeaten Tony “TNT” Tucker in Las Vegas.
Douglas lost steam entering the crucial rounds and was being bamboozled by Tucker before referee Mills Lane mercifully stopped the match in the 10th canto.
“He was beating Tony Tucker until he ran out of gas. That was interpreted as, ‘This guy doesn’t have heart, will, spirit, whatever it was,” said HBO commentator Larry Merchant during the network’s documentary of Tyson-Douglas.
Unknown to many, Douglas, long before facing Tyson, went through challenges that would easily break a lesser man.
In trying to make ends meet in 1981, Douglas worked as grass cutter in Schiller Park in Columbus where he suffered a supposed career-ending injury after the mower he was operating flipped, its blades slashed his left heel that severed his tendon.
“The doctor told me I ain’t going to fight anymore. I wasn’t too happy about it but as it was getting healed I was getting stronger,” said Douglas.
Douglas also had to cope with personal tragedies, losing two brothers who were shot dead in separate incidents in 1981 and 1989, his dad who passed away in 1999 due to cancer and his mom who succumb to a stroke just 23 days before his bout with Tyson.
But what will probably serve as a lasting proof of Douglas’ real worth as a resolute man is his determination to make a ring return two years after recovering from a diabetic coma that nearly killed him in 1994 when he ballooned to 400+lbs.
“It’s the will to win. I had to get back in line many times and I was able to do that. That’s more rewarding than anything. To be able to come back from that” said Douglas. “All along it was not about money. I was financially secure. It was just depression. Not really feeling happy about how everything was going.”
Well-meaning friends and relatives were actually against his comeback bid but Douglas felt it was the only way to reclaim his status as a true boxing champion but more importantly, reestablish his life.
While he never gained a title shot during his comeback trail, winning eight of his nine fights since waking up from a near-fatal coma was enough for Douglas to complete his real mission.
“I’m still dealing with diabetes and all but other than that I’m still excited about life. Every day is something I look forward to especially in teaching boxing to kids,” said Douglas who retired in 1998 with a 38-6-1, 25KO record.
Douglas’ story serves as a tool for everyone to realize that life outside the ring is harder than fighting inside it.
Even harder than battling someone regarded as the baddest man on the planet. (DENNIS PRINCIPE)