30 years after Tyson fight, Buster Douglas is 'feeling good'

Thirty years after his hard-fought victory against boxing titan Mike Tyson, Buster Douglas is feeling healthy and basking in the glory he says he was denied at the time.

“Right now, everything is looking up,” Douglas said in a recent Associated Press interview, noting he struggles with diabetes. “Feeling good and the numbers are good. It's a good thing.”

The 59-year-old fighter will be celebrated at an anniversary gala Friday in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where he'll raise money for programs that help others who face seemingly insurmountable challenges.

In this Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 photo, James "Buster" Douglas, the former world heavyweight champion, works with a student at the Thompson Community Center in Columbus, Ohio, where he teaches youth boxing. In one of the more spectacular upsets in sports history, Douglas defeated Mike Tyson, the reigning world heavyweight champion on Feb. 11, 1990, in Tokyo. (AP PhotoJulie Carr Smyth)

His stable of students throughout Columbus' parks and recreation system look up to the man they call simply “coach” as a teacher, friend and hero.

“I mean, I really look up to Mike Tyson, but I don't look up to him as much as Coach," said 11-year-old Colton Matson, who has worked with Douglas since he was 6.

“Really, Mike Tyson was the second-most greatest boxer in the world still to this day. It's crazy that Coach, like, just beat him," he said. "It might have just been luck, but I can tell you that Coach worked hard for it even if it was luck.”

In this Jan. 31, 2020 photo, a stack of fan mail for James "Buster" Douglas, the former world heavyweight boxing champion, sits on a desk in Columbus, Ohio, where he teaches youth boxing. In one of the more spectacular upsets in sports history, Douglas defeated Mike Tyson, the reigning world heavyweight champion on Feb. 11, 1990, in Tokyo. (AP PhotoJulie Carr Smyth)

Tyson was the reigning undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, and a frightening opponent to boot, when he entered the ring against James “Buster” Douglas on Feb. 11, 1990, in Tokyo. Only one Las Vegas bookie — whether brave or stupid — would set odds on the fight: 42 to 1.

Douglas won, stunning the sports world. But what followed was anything but a celebration.

Tyson and fight promoter Don King challenged Douglas' victory, claiming Douglas had gone down first in the fight but been given more time than allowed to get up. Douglas' victory was ultimately upheld, but not before months of drama and expensive litigation.

In this Jan. 31, 2020 photo, James "Buster" Douglas, the former world heavyweight champion, sits at the Thompson Community Center in Columbus, Ohio, where he teaches youth boxing. In one of the more spectacular upsets in sports history, Douglas defeated Mike Tyson, the reigning world heavyweight champion on Feb. 11, 1990, in Tokyo. (AP PhotoJulie Carr Smyth)

“Don came at me with a vengeance and I was subpoenaed everywhere I went to," Douglas said. "It made it very uncomfortable and kind of took the ‘f’ out of fun.”

A message was left at a phone number for King.

Tyson didn't respond to an interview request. He told late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel in 2015 that it was “Buster's anniversary” to celebrate, not his. Tyson said the loss was a positive for him in the end, allowing him to learn how to “overcome adversity.” The two have barely crossed paths since the fight.

FILE - In this Feb. 11, 1990, file photo, heavyweight boxer James "Buster" Douglas waves his gloved hand to the cheering crowd as he makes his way to the dressing room following a 10th round knockout victory over Mike Tyson in a scheduled 12-round championship bout at the Tokyo Dome. In one of the more spectacular upsets in sports history, Douglas defeated Tyson, the reigning world heavyweight champion on Feb. 11, 1990, in Tokyo. (AP PhotoSadayuki Mikami, File)

The dispute over the fight's outcome — combined with lingering grief over his mother's death shortly before the fight — sent Douglas into a slump, he said.

“Believe it or not, I was where I really didn't care about anything,” he recalled. “Something I always looked forward to becoming one day and then you get it and it turns into a nightmare really quick.”

Douglas said he was almost relieved when Evander Holyfield knocked him out in the third round of their match-up a little over eight months later, taking the title.

FILE - In this Feb. 11, 1990, file photo, James Douglas, left, follows with a left, dropping Mike Tyson to the canvas in the 10th round of scheduled 12-round heavyweight champion bout at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. In one of the more spectacular upsets in sports history, Douglas defeated Tyson, the reigning world heavyweight champion. (AP PhotoTsugufumi Matsumoto, File)

“It was a relief and then it was upsetting, too, because of how it all came to an end,” Douglas said.

A short reign, with a long legacy. The fight is still remembered as one of the most spectacular upsets in sports history. Douglas' story gained new attention with the 2018 release of an ESPN documentary, titled "42 to 1" after the odds against Douglas.

Douglas has given his charity effort the same name and formed an ongoing strategic partnership aimed at delivering several programs focused on workforce development, diversity and soft skills training to at-risk youth.

He said working with kids is one of his favorite things to do.

Inside a training ring at Columbus' Thompson Community Center, Douglas towers over most of his students, chanting, “Left, right, left, right, left, left” as they punch away at the pads on he wears on his hands in place of gloves.

He said he gave up on his life and health for a period after the fight. In 1996, he woke up in a hospital on death's door. Again, life presented him a mountain to overcome.

“A light bulb came on. It was either get back into life or cash it on in,” he said. “I decided to get back into life.”

He staged a six-fight comeback before retiring from boxing in 1999, then launched into his work with the city of Columbus.

Students say he's kind, tough, generous and “very genuine.” It's all enhanced by what he accomplished in 1990.

“It really inspires me that he beat the best boxer in the world back then,” Matson said, "and I just think that's awesome.”

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore has decided to return to the Ducks next season rather than declare for the NFL draft.

Moore, 20, announced his decision on Wednesday on ESPN.

“When it comes to me just making my decision, of course I want to feel most prepared and do what’s best for my situation, especially as a quarterback," he said. “And with my decision, it’s been very tough. I prayed a lot about it, talked to many people, my mentors, and people I just look up to, and with that being said, of course I’ll be coming back to Oregon for one more year, being able to play for the Oregon Ducks and reach our goal and be national champions.”

This season, Moore completed nearly 72% of his throws for 3, 565 yards, with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Oregon finished 13-2.

Moore had been forecast to be the second quarterback selected in the NFL draft, behind Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.

The Ducks were coming off a 56-22 loss to Indiana in a College Football Playoff semifinal Friday night. Moore had three crucial turnovers in the first half, leading to three Indiana touchdowns that gave the Hoosiers a commanding 35-7 lead at halftime.

Moore completed 24 of 39 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns against the Hoosiers.

Moore began his college career at UCLA but left after one season to sign with Oregon. He backed up Dillon Gabriel last season before moving up to the starting job when Gabriel departed for the NFL.

“I feel like when it comes to me pushing my teammates to make sure that they’re at their best, I can become a better leader,” Moore said about his goals in returning. “And when it comes to my playing style, just dissecting defenses, being able to be comfortable as I see it, if I see a defense that I know I’ve seen this covered before and how to attack it,” he said. "I’m still 20 years old, so I’m still young and I have a lot of memories to make out here in college. I’m excited to be around the guys.”

Oregon coach Dan Lanning said following the Indiana loss that he hoped to have Moore return.

“Dante has been exceptional,” the coach said. “It’s gone right for us 13 times. It didn’t go right tonight. You can’t let that overshadow (the season). Every one of us has unbelievable disappointment. Learn from it.”

Moore's decision comes after ex-Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola announced he'd be transferring to Oregon, and Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq and safety Dillon Thieneman declared for the NFL draft.

Sadiq had a team-high 51 receptions for 560 yards and eight touchdowns this past season, his first as a starter. He was expected to be a first-round draft pick.

Thieneman finished the season with 96 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, as well as five pass breakups and two interceptions.

Among the players who have announced they will return to the Ducks include center Iapani Laloulu, a finalists for the Remington Trophy this year, tight end Jamari Johnson and defensive ends Teitum Tuioti and Matayo Uiagalelei.

“At the end of the day, I feel like I can still learn so much more. And of course, as a kid, since I was 4-years old, I’ve dreamed about being in the NFL. But this team, we’ve been through a lot and a lot of people are returning," Moore said. "And so I feel like we have exciting things coming this year. And I’m excited to keep pushing my team.”

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Oregon quarterback Dante Moore warms up before the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal against Indiana, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes against Indiana during the second half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)