Throwback Thursday: Buster Douglas' major boxing upset

Oddsmakers said James "Buster" Douglas had virtually no chance of beating Mike Tyson.

• But the Columbus native overcame those odds 34 years ago this week in one of heavyweight boxing's greatest upsets.

Flashback: Douglas was a youth boxing champ who also won a state basketball title with Linden-McKinley High School in 1977.

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• He rose up the boxing ranks until getting a chance to face Tyson for the world title in Tokyo.

Between the lines: The fight came during a difficult year for Douglas, who had separated from his wife and was grieving his mother's death.

• The Ohio History Connection notes that Douglas was motivated during training by a song written for him by local musician Garth Nutter. ( Give it a listen. )

What happened: On Feb. 11, 1990, he overcame 42-to-1 odds and defeated Tyson in the 10th round.

• A week later, musician Warren Zevon played a tribute to Douglas while performing at Newport Music Hall.

What they're saying: Douglas returned to his hometown famous, but still humble.

• "We're definitely average, everyday people," he told a reporter . "I'm my own secretary, public relations man, everything."

The intrigue: After retirement, Douglas turned his focus to coaching boxers at the Thompson Community Center gym.

• For his heroics and community involvement, he was inducted into the Columbus Hall of Fame.
• Ohio lawmakers designated Feb. 11, 2020 as "James Buster Douglas 42:1 Odds Day" .

Buster Douglas was honored with a ceremonial puck drop at a Blue Jackets game in February 2020. Photo: Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)

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