This Day in Boxing History: Ali’s Cruel Lesson, Tyson’s Arrival, and Pacquiao’s Masterclass

This Day in Boxing History: Ali’s Cruel Lesson, Tyson’s Arrival, and Pacquiao’s Masterclass

Over the years, November 22 has produced seismic moments, from a young phenom seizing the heavyweight crown to an aging champion refusing to bow out quietly.

1965 – Ali vs. Patterson

On November 22, 1965, in Las Vegas, Muhammad Ali defended his heavyweight title against former champion Floyd Patterson in a fight that would become one of boxing’s most polarizing performances.

Patterson entered the ring nursing a back injury, but Ali—then in the early, electric phase of his reign—showed no mercy. Ali dominated him for twelve rounds, taunting, talking, and pulling Patterson into a cruel dance he couldn’t escape. Many observers accused Ali of prolonging the punishment, a rare instance where victory sparked debate rather than acclaim.

It was Ali’s second defense of the heavyweight title he won from Sonny Liston, further establishing him not merely as a champion, but as a force who dictated not only the pace of a fight—but the narrative around it.

1986 – Tyson vs. Berbick

Fast-forward twenty-one years to November 22, 1986. Twenty-year-old Mike Tyson met WBC champion Trevor Berbick at the Las Vegas Hilton. What followed was a two-round demolition that felt less like a title fight and more like the official arrival of a phenomenon.

Tyson dropped Berbick twice in the second round—the second knockdown resulting in Berbick wobbling across the ring, trying unsuccessfully to regain his footing as if the canvas itself had turned against him.

With the victory, Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history, a record that still stands. For many fans, this night marks the beginning of the “Iron Mike” era: explosive, intimidating, and unforgettable.

2014 – Pacquiao vs. Algieri

Technically, the bout took place on November 23, 2014 in Macau—but due to U.S. broadcast time, Manny Pacquiao’s unanimous decision win over Chris Algieri is often associated with November 22 in American coverage. Either way, it earns its place on the date’s unofficial highlight list.

Pacquiao scored six knockdowns and delivered a vintage performance—fast hands, constant pressure, and the kind of tactical discipline he’d honed in the later chapters of his career. It wasn’t a superfight, but it was an emphatic reminder that the Filipino icon remained elite, even as he pushed toward age 36.

For Algieri, it was a long, educational night; for Pacquiao, it was proof that the old magic still flickered.

November 22 has a way of capturing the sport’s full spectrum: Ali’s complicated brilliance, Tyson’s explosive arrival, Pacquiao’s late-career craftsmanship. It’s a date that reminds us why the sport endures. On any given night, boxing can produce moments that echo for generations.

Fun Facts:

Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick (1986)

Tyson was the overwhelming betting favorite, with sportsbooks listing him at around 4-to-1 to win—rarely that wide for a challenger, especially one so young.

Trevor Berbick was the last man ever to defeat Muhammad Ali (in 1981), though Ali was 39 and far past his prime

Tyson famously didn’t use entrance music. On this night, as usual, he walked out to no songs, no robe—just black trunks, black shoes, and a towel over his neck. The intimidation began before he threw a punch.

Berbick’s attempt to stand after the second knockdown — stumbling across the ring in multiple directions — is one of the most replayed clips in boxing history. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tG2B90evafc (you can view the knockdown here, beginning at the 6:54 mark)

Tyson became champion at 20 years and 4 months, beating the previous record by more than a year. No one has come close since.

A Chain of Champions

Muhammad Ali’s final professional fight was on December 11, 1981, against Trevor Berbick, where Ali suffered a unanimous decision loss. A few years later, on November 22, 1986, Mike Tyson defeated Berbick by TKO, capturing the WBC heavyweight title and becoming the youngest heavyweight champion. Before Tyson’s record, Floyd Patterson had held the distinction of being the youngest man ever to win the world heavyweight title — he was only 21 years, 10 months old when he knocked out Archie Moore in 1956. In this way, Berbick serves as a bridge between Ali and Tyson, while Patterson represents the earlier generation whose record Tyson eventually broke, tying together four iconic figures across successive eras of heavyweight boxing.