Mike Tyson this combination. Expectations for Tyson were extremely high, and he was the favorite to win the heavyweight unification series, a tournament designed to establish an undisputed heavyweight champion. Tyson defended his title against James Smith on March 7, 1987, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He won by unanimous decision and added Smith's World Boxing Association (WBA) title to his existing belt. "Tyson-mania" in the media was becoming rampant. He beat Pinklon Thomas in May by TKO in the sixth round. On August 1 he took the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title from Tony Tucker in a twelve round unanimous decision, with
Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes, billed as "Heavyweight History", was a professional boxing match contested on January 22, 1988, for the WBA, WBC and IBF Heavyweight Championships. After winning all four of his championship bouts in 1987, Tyson's promoter Don King organized a "dream match" with former WBC and IBF Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes. The 38-year-old Holmes had been out of boxing for nearly two years, having retired after two consecutive losses to Michael Spinks. Holmes had difficulty working out a deal with King. However, with an estimated $3 million being offered to him, as