16-Year-Old Mike Tyson Pushed Pro Boxer Jimmy Clark To The Limit In Sparring Footage

Rare footage of a 16-year-old Mike Tyson showing off his incredible and ferocious boxing skills against a pro boxer has re-emerged online.

The boxing legend had a sparring session against Jimmy Clark in 1983 and put on a dazzling display with his devastating punching power and quick footwork.

Tyson danced around the ring as he pulled off shots with ease, as well as demonstrating early signs of his now-famous 'peek-a-boo' boxing style.

And the 'Baddest Man on the Planet' put on the performance in front of legendary trainer Cus D'Amato.

Fans were also blown away by how well Tyson handled himself against the former American pro boxer.

"It's incredible that you have a 28 year old man in there who had already fought at Madison Square Garden as a pro and he's in there sparring a 16 year old," one fight fan wrote.

YouTube user J.A. simply posted: "Jimmy Clark was a professional boxer at this time. His record was 18-1. Think about that."

A third found the funny side of the clip and said: "When you walk in to the gym and your manager says 'We want you to spar this kid named Mike tyson [sic].'"

While a fourth added: "This guy is the most dangerous, agile and muscular 16 yr old I've seen."

One fan said the sparring session was "history in the making," saying that the video clip "should be in a museum."

Tyson, now 53, became the youngest boxer in history to win the heavyweight title when he beat Trevor Berbick in 1986 at the age of 20.

'Iron' Mike would continue to climb the boxing world and eventually became the undisputed world heavyweight champ.

But Tyson fought personal demons outside of the ring and they would plague his life for many years, including when he filed for bankruptcy in 2003.

The 'Baddest Man on the Planet,' who said his work with WWE in the 1990s helped him at a "crucial time" in his life, has since turned his fortunes around.

The boxing icon opened up to Brit superstar Tyson Fury on Hotboxin' With Mike Tyson by admitting his "last f*****g life was an atrocity."

Featured Image Credit: YouTube

Topics: Mike Tyson, Boxing News, Boxing, Iron Mike

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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