Mike Tyson left opponent out cold in just eight seconds with one of the finest amateur KOs aged 15

An amateur Mike Tyson gave the professional ranks a taste of things to come with one epic knockout.

Heavyweight legend ‘Iron Mike’ enjoyed a stellar boxing career, having achieved it all at professional level before retiring in 2005, having reigned as undisputed world champion from 1987 to 1990.

Tyson left his rival flat on his back with a monstrous KO

And his credentials were certainly proven at amateur level, where he won a gold medal at the 1981 Junior Olympics in the heavyweight division.

In the final, the heavy-handed American made a statement like no other with the landmark event lasting just eight seconds against rival Joe Cortez.

Tyson quickly burst out from his corner with just one intention, and began loading up some vicious shots.

But after just eight seconds with Cortez clearly way out of his depth, Tyson – just 15 years old at the time – landed a crushing right-left combination which sent his opponent crumpling to the canvas.

Cortez was left flat on his back out cold, and the referee immediately waved off the fight while seeking medical attention for the silver medallist.

Tyson’s quickfire KO came as no surprise, with the amateur champion seen as one of the most dynamic punchers to have come through at the time.

He went on to win another gold medal at the 1982 version of the tournament, before making the step to the professional ranks with a huge reputation.

He missed out on the 1984 Olympic Games, but made up for the heartache with a glittering career as a pro.

He quickly went from strength to strength, demolishing rivals with ease on his rise to becoming the youngest ever heavyweight world champion aged 20, when he beat Trevor Berbick with another thumping KO in November 1986.

The feared puncher went on to share the rings with some greats, including Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield whom he lost to, while he beat other names like Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks in a stint that saw him go down as one of the greatest of all-time.

Tyson garnered a fearsome reputation in his amateur careerGetty Images – Getty

In 1986 he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history when he beat BerbickGetty

At the peak of his powers, Tyson reigned as an undisputed world champion from 1997 to 1990, before he lost the belts to Buster Douglas in one of sport’s biggest ever upsets that year.

He eventually hung up his gloves in 2005, admitting he no longer had the desire to fight on.

The American lost three of his final four fights in the boxing ring, including his final fight against Kevin McBride.

It was a sad ending to his career as he was forced to quit on his stool, but in the present day all hasn’t been over for good.

Surprisingly in 2020 he returned to face Roy Jones Jr in an exhibition and is now training for another fight, against Jake Paul on November 15.

Although to the sound of widespread criticism, the contest has been sanctioned as a professional fight, despite the 31-year age gap between the pair.

Tyson has been posting a series of training clips to justify to fans his return at age 58, but the public have still urged the pair to cancel the showdown.

He has also received a host of medical warnings from doctors over his health if he receives punches as a veteran, but has ignored them to pursue a contest which will count on his record.

It could provide a damaging stain on his legacy if he is to lose to the YouTube star, who has far less experience than Tyson.

Paul has fought just 11 times against limited opposition with one defeat to Tommy Fury on his record last year, but is in his physical prime at the age of 27.

But Tyson, who has regularly batted back at doubters of his ability, insists it is his risk to take given the financial incentive on the table.

Tyson is not done yet and will test his power in a return aged 58 against PaulGETTY

“I could be waiting on a check every day from cannabis,’’ Tyson said. That’s bulls*** for me. I’m a man.

“I want to go out there and I want to expose myself to risk. Sometimes I want to see who I really am.

“I want to see what I’m really made out of. I want to perform in front of the world.

“To me, that’s all I ever knew how to do since I was 14. This fight is not going to change my life financially enough.

“This is just what I want to do.’’

Tyson is trying to roll back the years with a full training camp, but has already had to pull out of their originally planned July meeting.

He has since even admitted he is ‘struggling’ with sparring during the camp, in worrying signs ahead of his meeting with Paul.