For any boxing fan with a strong constitution, the exploits of Mike Tyson during his prime years as the “Baddest Man on the Planet” make for the stuff of legend – and nightmares.

The explosive power, raw aggression, and sheer ferocity that Tyson brought to the ring was truly a sight to behold, especially when he crossed paths with fighters who had the audacity to taunt or underestimate the fearsome champion.

In those instances, the results were often nothing short of horrific – a harrowing showcase of just how devastating Tyson could be when provoked. From pulverizing pre-fight boasts to merciless in-ring beatdowns, the former heavyweight king’s handling of cocky, overconfident opponents has gone down as some of the most brutal and captivating moments in boxing history.

One such example came in Tyson’s 1986 clash with Marvis Frazier, son of the legendary Joe Frazier. Heading into the fight, the younger Frazier had boldly claimed that he would “whip [Tyson’s] ass” – a bold proclamation that would prove to be his undoing.

The opening bell had barely rung before Tyson exploded forward, unleashing a barrage of thunderous punches that sent Frazier crashing to the canvas. The sheer speed and power of Tyson’s attack left the stunned challenger helpless, as the champion followed up with a series of devastating blows that rendered Frazier unconscious in a mere 30 seconds.

“I’ve seen a lot of knockouts in my time, but nothing quite like that,” recalled legendary boxing commentator Howard Cosell, his voice heavy with a mixture of awe and trepidation. “The way Tyson just pounced on Frazier, it was like watching a lion take down its prey. Merciless, primal – and frankly, quite terrifying to witness.”

Tyson’s annihilation of the overconfident Frazier was merely the tip of the iceberg when it came to his treatment of cocky challengers. In 1987, he faced off against the trash-talking Bonecrusher Smith, who had boldly predicted that he would “make Tyson quit” in their fight.

Instead, it was Smith who found himself on the receiving end of a savage beating, as Tyson methodically broke him down over the course of two brutal rounds. The champion’s relentless onslaught left Smith’s face a bloody, swollen mess, culminating in a devastating knockout that silenced the brash challenger’s pre-fight boasts.