To Tyson, I was just a fill-in fight on the way to fight Evander. I definitely worked hard to get that—it wasn’t given to me. Pin. Buster Douglas trains at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. His father was the professional boxer William “Dynamite” Douglas. Ideally, Douglas could have sailed into the sunset, lived on a beach, become a fisherman, but he chose to return to his roots and his home in Columbus. I want to be the guy who did something positive. James "Buster" Douglas (born April 7, 1960) is a Columbus boxer who moved from relative obscurity to the heavyweight champion of the world on Feb. 10, 1990, after knocking out Mike Tyson in the 10th round in Tokyo. But this is reliving it all over again. On February 11, 1990, James “Buster” Douglas of Columbus shocked the world when he knocked out seemingly unbeatable heavyweight Mike Tyson. With millions in his pocket, he was a jet-setter, battling Macho Man at Wrestlemania, rubbing elbows with greats like Ali, and co-signing his name to his own Sega Genesis game, but the legitimacy of his title was constantly in kahoots thanks to a legal battle at the behest of promoter Don King, who claimed a long count on Douglas. Nutter rallied local talent to record it at the Musicol studio on Oakland Park Ave. “Those were some great musicians,” says Nutter, who played guitar on the track. Keep an eye on your email for a chance at the next one!

And though in conversation we spent time reminiscing about Douglas’ peak in the ‘90s, Buster was determined that his future was the focal point, not the past. Even after the fight, there was little to no respect for Douglas’ victory, and a tragic malaise fogged his career forever after. It depends on the situation, as long as we have fun. No Thumbnail ... Johnstown, Ohio (OH), US. I think it was always by design that I wouldn’t have time to prepare. In a late-night appearance on Johnny Carson, the soft-spoken humility of the new champ was a refreshing counter to Tyson’s blitzkrieg ego, and Douglas seemed poised to have a long career. Johnson suggested the title and his daughter contributed the lyrics and vocals. He had it all. The night he beat Mike Tyson at the Tokyo Dome on February 11th, 1990—perhaps the biggest upset in all of sports history—Douglas, though a legit contender and No. Throughout the day the older kids come in and train whenever. A couple only. The “no regrets” Douglas doesn’t much want to dwell on those eight months, his bouts with depression, physically checking out, or his unceremoniously loss to Evander Holyfield (which some contend was the last great heavyweight match of the modern era). Did that fight come up too quickly? I was travelling everywhere, but it was either to a court in Columbus, or New York, or Vegas. After retiring I kind of let myself go and let depression get the best of me. The most important thing is staying healthy and taking care of myself and my family. Therein lies the irony.

James “Buster” Douglas was born on April 7, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio. It was such a hit with his team that Johnson had it played in the arena as Douglas walked to the ring to face Tyson. Be sure to open tomorrow's email and click the giveaway link for another entry! You’re in here five days a week now training others. Info; Nearby (334) Like. What was the reason then that you were the underdog against Tyson? What do you say to that? But if you gave me some time, I’ve always got one more fight left in me. When you train, what’s that one piece of advice you give the kids? 2 in the world at the time, was literally given odds from one singular casino at 42-1. “Win It All” was written by Garth Nutter, a part-time musician in Columbus who grew up with Douglas’ manager, John Johnson. You too can train with the champ. If you listen carefully to the documentary, you may hear a song that plays an interesting part of the Buster Douglas story. So there were high hopes for a basketball career? Thanks for stopping by but it looks like the contest you tried to enter is over. He’s Columbus’ Heaviest Hitter : Boxing: After winning the heavyweight title, James (Buster) Douglas has become the No. I didn’t have much time to get ready. “It all came together quickly.” Douglas was there for the recording session. The fight, held in Tokyo, is considered the biggest upset in boxing history. Share. James "Buster" Douglas.

A lot of people seem to remember that you were lucky to get a shot at Tyson, not that you were proven. State Champs. Much like our constantly on-the-verge city, entirely capable of great things when given the chance, Douglas was still relegated to “underdog” status. Right now, I could do a couple rounds. Well, that’s been awhile. Tyson was destined, given his current wave of quick, brutal, knockouts, to defeat the much bigger and traditional force that Douglas posed. All Rights Reserved. For two weeks after Douglas’ triumphant return to Columbus, Nutter says, it was most requested song on local pop radio station WNCI. On February 11, 1990, James “Buster” Douglas of Columbus shocked the world when he knocked out seemingly unbeatable heavyweight Mike Tyson. A lot of times it feels like I’m 10 years old again, walking into Blackburn Recreation Center, not sure what I was going to amount to. The night he beat Mike Tyson at the Tokyo Dome on February 11th, 1990—perhaps the biggest upset in all of sports history—Douglas, though a legit contender and No. When I was 15 I went foolhardily into basketball and abandoned boxing.

His childhood was spent in the Linden neighborhood of Windsor Terrace. Buster Douglas takes down Mike Tyson during their world heavyweight title fight in Tokyo on Feb. 11, 1990. When I finally got over that, I started getting back into the game of life.

Digital access or digital and print delivery. In many ways, former heavyweight champion, James “Buster” Douglas, is the perfect Columbus icon. You could wrestle?

Oh yeah. 1 celebrity in his Ohio hometown. It’s inspiring. Oh yeah. Not just the guy who beat Tyson. The former undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion lives here.

The song that helped Buster Douglas defeat Mike Tyson As we ramp up to our next big exhibit, Ohio–Champion of Sports, we’re sharing stories of Ohio athletes that may surprise you. Really well. And you’ve even got some ladies who come in just to work out. After the fight, I had I went up to my hotel room to relax and reflect. Choose the plan that’s right for you. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Heavyweight champion Buster Douglas has filed for divorce, his wife’s attorney said Friday. James "Buster" Douglas' House. That was a bummer; that was tough. What was that night like after you had won? Douglas loved the funky song and listened to it often as he prepared for the fight. Ideally, Douglas could have sailed into the sunset, lived on a beach, become a fisherman, but he chose to return to his roots and his home in Columbus. My dad was a boxing coach, so I was always boxing. © 2020 614 Media Group. So there were high hopes for a basketball career? He wanted me to box no doubt, but he didn’t bother me. How’s that going? Buster Douglas Biography, Life, Interesting Facts. It was a diabetic coma that ended his career and by default urged him to come back to life. James "Buster" Douglas (born April 7, 1960) is a Columbus boxer who moved from relative obscurity to the heavyweight champion of the world on Feb. 10, 1990, after knocking out Mike Tyson in … They are the ones who compete. Were you not prepared? You can learn more about Douglas’ historic fight at our next major exhibit, Ohio–Champion of Sports, opening March 16, 2019. He was the new wave of heavyweight. Ohio History Center - Open for Select Special Events, Ohio History Connection Honors Preservation Achievements Across Ohio, The Vote Was Just Part of the Quest for Equal Female Representation, This month's post in our suffrage anniversary blog comes …, Check out this engaging, free, online treasure trove of c…, The song that helped Buster Douglas defeat Mike Tyson. (Tyson was such a sure thing his corner forgot to bring the ice packs). n many ways, former heavyweight champion, James “Buster” Douglas, is the perfect Columbus icon. I n many ways, former heavyweight champion, James “Buster” Douglas, is the perfect Columbus icon. He was hoping one day  I would snap out of it and get back in the ring because he saw a future. Douglas won by a knockout in the 10th round in a stunning result. But it was you who got that fight with Holyfield.

Boxing The Columbus Recreation and Parks Boxing is dedicated to teaching kids/youth and adults the fundamentals and or advance skills to be successful in the area of boxing at the amateur, professional levels, and can also be used for fitness and self defense. He beat all the former champions. He was hoping one day, When you train, what’s that one piece of advice you give the kids, What do you want your legacy to be? Back in the day when I was coming up, they were just here to watch. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. State Champs. Now, there’s every kind of person from 10 and up. Join over 80,000 of your neighbors and friends with the city's largest daily newsletter. And you’ve got some people who come in just to work out. I just want to be the guy who made something out of his life.

“42 to 1” premieres at 9 p.m. Dec. 11 on ESPN. 2 in the world at the time, was literally given odds from one singular casino at 42-1. So what have you been doing since retirement? When exactly did you start boxing and what made you abandon basketball? Visitcolumbus.gov/recreationandparks/recreation-centers/Thompson-Community-Center for more info.   True to form, the comeback kid did resurface professionally, going a respectable 6-0 before finally leaving the ring for good. Enter your information below to earn an entry into our. The only part of the championship that I truly got to enjoy was when they called my name as the winner. That was something that I had to get used to. I went to Linden-McKinley. I kept hanging in there. It was a diabetic coma that ended his career and by default urged him to come back to life. This is where it all started and I’m back to square one. Until then, listen to Garth Nutter’s “Win It All.”. My first shot was against Tony Tucker in 1987, it was for the IBF belt, but that didn’t go too well. Now hiding in plain sight, Douglas is the happiest he’s ever been playing the “game of life.” In Columbus he’s free to blend into the background—as he does training young hopefuls five days a week at his gym—or take the spotlight as the city’s most iconic athlete when the moment strikes (during our interview he was autographing gloves for Urban Meyer’s grandson). Tyson was destined, given his current wave of quick, brutal, knockouts, to defeat the much bigger and traditional force that Douglas posed. with depression, physically checking out, or his unceremoniously loss to Evander Holyfield (which some contend was the last great heavyweight match of the modern era). Obviously then, when you start to compete professionally the ultimate goal is to become champion. The Columbus Dispatch ~ 62 E. Broad St. Columbus OH 43215 ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Cookie Policy ~ Do Not Sell My Personal Information ~ Privacy Policy ~ Terms Of Service ~ Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. He wanted me to box no doubt, but he didn’t bother me. I learned a lot. I sat up and talked to John Johnson (Douglas’ manager) and then I went to bed. 2 in the world at the time, was literally given odds from one singular casino at 42-1. All rights reserved. Douglas attended the … I work with the kids now.



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