Tyson vs Berbick

I decided to paint Mike Tyson for a few reasons. This painting is a homage to an Era that may be ending. The sport is drastically changing. Tyson, Lewis, Holyfield may be the last great, colorful HeavyWeight Champions. Trevor Berbick vs. Mike Tyson, billed as "Judgment Day", was a professional boxing match contested on November 22, 1986 for the WBC Heavyweight Championship. Tyson had gone 12–0 in the year of 1986 alone and officially qualified for the unification series with a second-round knockout victory over Alfonso Ratliff in September. Though the 32–year old Berbick entered the fight as the champion, he was installed as a 3–1 underdog to Tyson, 20 years old, was 12 years younger than Berbick and trying to surpass Floyd Patterson as the youngest man to win a major Heavyweight title in the history of the sport. He accomplished that feat by ending the fight at the 2:35 mark of the 3rd Round, hitting Berbick with a right to the body followed by a left hook to the head that dropped the Champ for the second time. Berbick attempted to get up twice, only to collapse both times, causing referee Mills Lane to call the fight and award Tyson the victory via technical knockout. He became the youngest Heavy Weight Champion in Boxing History at 20 years old.

UFC, MMA fighters are demanding more attention among younger fight fans worldwide while competing . The caged arena, and no holds barred rules, is attracting thousands of hungry, new spectators that no little about boxing history. The love for blood and open fist punches, kicks, and an aggressive band of personalities willing to fight for a lower purses as they rise in the ranks has captured the blue collar hearts of American Sports Fans.

Oil, oil crayon, pencil, charcoal on canvas
52x75” Framed by BordersFraming NY
July 2017

Price Upon Request Karl Hutter Fine Art.