James "Buster" Douglas (born
April 7, 1960) is an American former professional boxer who
competed between 1981 and 1999. He is best known for his upset victory
over Mike Tyson on February 11, 1990,
in Tokyo, to win the undisputed heavyweight title. At the time Tyson was undefeated and
considered to be the best boxer in the world as well as one of the most feared
heavyweight champions in history due to his domination of the division over the
previous three years. The Mirage was the
only casino to make odds for the fight (all others declining to do so as they
considered the fight such a foregone conclusion), and had Douglas as a 42-to-1
underdog, making his victory, in commentator Jim Lampley's words, "The biggest upset in the history of
heavyweight championship fights." Douglas reigned as the world heavyweight
champion for eight months and two weeks, losing on October 25,
1990, to Evander Holyfield via third-round knockout, in his only title defense.