Introduction

"Iron" Mike Tyson was a pivotal figure in boxing during the late 1980s, ending the decade with a record of 37–0, 33 knockouts and 10–0 in world title fights. However, his dominance, while impressive, was not the only act on the stage of boxing during this period. Numerous other fighters also made significant contributions, maintaining world titles and achieving impressive unbeaten streaks. In this article, we explore which boxer might have carried the torch of boxing in the late 1980s if Mike Tyson had not existed. This article delves into the careers of six boxers who reigned for extended periods and influenced the landscape of the sport during the final stages of the decade.

The Greats of the Late 80s

The late 1980s saw an era of unrivaled talent and fierce competition in boxing. Some future International Boxing Hall of Fame members such as Barry McGuigan, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Julian Jackson, and Michael Carbajal, made their mark during this time. Renowned heavyweights like Evander Holyfield and Virgil Hill also dominated, alongside up-and-coming prospects such as Lennox Lewis and Riddick Bowe. Fighters like Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman made impressive comebacks and provided audiences with thrilling championship fights.

Champion Reigns of 1980s Boxers

However, no fighter reigned continuously over the final three years and two months of the 1980s like Mike Tyson. Six fighters from the International Boxing Hall of Fame maintained their world titles for significantly longer periods, demonstrating their skill, endurance, and competitiveness. This article highlights the reigns of Julio Cesar Chavez, Azumah Nelson, Hector Camacho, Kaoshi Galaxy, Myung Woo Yuh, Jung-Koo Chang, and Brian Mitchell. Their stories demonstrate the resilience and talent that kept boxing at the forefront of sports during the late 1980s.

Julio Cesar Chavez: The Great JC

Length of reign: 9 years 5 months

Jr lightweight, lightweight, and junior welterweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez finished the 1980s with an almost unbeaten record of 68–0, 56 knockouts. His remarkable unbeaten record included victories over notable fight opponents like Mario Martinez, Rocky Lockridge, Edwin Rosario, Jose Luis Ramirez, and Roger Mayweather. Chavez's career highlights culminated in a draw with all-time great Pernell Whitaker, and before his reign ended with a victory over Frankie Randall, he was unbeaten in 89 fights, 74 of which were knockouts.

Aduxmah Nelson: The Professor

Length of Reign: 9 years 5 months

Featherweight and junior lightweight champion Azumah Nelson reigned with an impressive record of 31–1, 23 knockouts. His most notable victories were against Marcos Villasana, Mario Martinez, and Jim McDonnell. Despite suffering a controversial loss to Salvador Sanchez in his 14th professional fight, Nelson's dominant performance in 16 world title fights was undeniable. Before his reign ended, with a loss to Jason James Leija, he had an impressive 36–2–2, 25 knockouts record.

Hector Camacho: The Macho

Length of Reign: 7 years 7 months

Junior lightweight, lightweight, and junior welterweight champion Hector Camacho was the most dominant force in his weight class with 36–0, 16 knockouts. His victories included notable opponents like Jose Luis Ramirez, Edwin Rosario, and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. Before his reign ended, with a loss to Greg Haugen, Camacho's record was 38–0, 16 knockouts, and his impressive 8–0, 2 world title fight record further highlighted his dominance.

Kaoshi Galaxy: The Thai Tyson

Length of Reign: 7 years 1 month

Super flyweight champion Kaoshi Galaxy maintained his title for a remarkably long time with 40–1, 35 knockouts. His most notable victories were against Eusebio Espinal, Rafael Orono, and Alberto Castro. Before his career ended with retirement, Galaxy's record stood at 47–1, 41 knockouts, and 20–0, 17 world title fights.

Myung Woo Yuh: The Downpour

Length of Reign: 6 years

Junior flyweight champion Myung Woo Yuh held his title for 6 years with 32–0, 12 knockouts. His notable wins included victories against Joey Olivo, Willy Salazar, and Mario Demarco. Before he was defeated by Hiroki Ioka, Yuh's record stood at 36–0, 14 knockouts, and 18–0, 10 world title fights.

Jung-Koo Chang: The Korean Hawk

Length of Reign: 5 years 3 months

Chang was a formidable force in the junior flyweight division, reining with a record of 37–2, 16 knockouts. His victories include titles against Hilario Zapata, German Torres, Sot Chitalada, and Katsuo Tokashiki. Before his reign ended by retiring after facing Humberto Gonzalez, Chang had a solid record of 37–2, 16 knockouts and 16–2, 7 world title fights.

Brian Mitchell: The Road Warrior

Length of Reign: 5 years

Jr lightweight champion Brian Mitchell's unmatched dominance earned him a 40–1, 20 knockouts record. His notable wins include Vasile Layne, Daniel Londas, Salvatore Cucetti, Danilo Centro, and Felipe Orozco. Before retiring, Mitchell's record stood at 43–1, 20 knockouts, and 12–0, 3 world title fights. Despite his extraordinary achievements, he never held a title outside South Africa, and fought in countries across the world including Puerto Rico, Panama, France, and Italy.

Conclusion

These six boxers, all future International Boxing Hall of Famers, not only carried the torch of boxing in the late 1980s but also reigned with remarkable longevity and dominance. Their careers not only provided thrilling and memorable championship fights but also dictated the landscape of boxing during this pivotal era. If Mike Tyson didn't exist, these fighters would have been the leaders in the sport, shaping and influencing the next chapter of boxing history.