I recently had a chance to speak with former heavyweight champion, James ‘Buster’ Douglas. Douglas is widely known for his 1990 upset win over the then unbeaten champ, Mike Tyson in what was called the upset of the century. Topics discussed in this interview include, Douglas’ start in the sport, the lead up to his fight with Mike Tyson, becoming heavyweight champion, the heavyweight fighters of today and his thoughts on the biggest fight that can be made today, Mayweather-Pacquiao. Here is what ‘Buster’ Douglas had to say.

Robert Brown: Can you tell us how your boxing career got started?

James Douglass: I started when I was ten as an amateur fighter in Columbus, Ohio. I fought for my dad, he was a boxing instructor, he was also a professional fighter as well. He was a world class middleweight and light heavyweight contender. After that, he got my interest into boxing and I fought competitively from ten to fifteen, then I started playing other sports but then I came back to it as a pro at twenty one.

Robert Brown: Was it your father’s history in the sport that helped you make that decision?

James Douglass: Definitely, I was at a crossroads in my life and I wanted to figure out what I wanted to do, then I decided I was gonna take a crack at being a professional fighter.

Robert Brown: The perception from the media was that you didn’t have the stamina and heart to be a heavyweight world champion. What did you make of those comments?

James Douglass: Yeah that was the perception but as that goes, everybody has an opinion but they didn’t know who was going in there was me. It was just like starting over for me because the last time I ever fought competitively was at fifteen and I came back at twenty one and decided to turn pro so I really had to learn the game all over again on a high level. It was a learning experience.

Robert Brown: In 1989 you got wins over former WBC heavyweight champion, Trevor Berbick and heavyweight contender, Oliver McCall which got you the shot against Mike Tyson. Tell us about how the fight with Tyson came about.

James Douglass: Like you said before, I fought Oliver McCall and that was a process of elimination and that put me in a line for the shot at the title. Once I beat Oliver, I got the shot with Mike.

Robert Brown: Did the perception from the public that you had no chance against Tyson affect you at all?

James Douglass: It did have an effect, it turned a positive into a negative. It made me determined to show the world that I really deserved that shot at the title and that I was gonna put on a great fight against Mike Tyson. I wanted to show that I deserved that shot and it wasn’t given to me.

Robert Brown: Unfortunately a few weeks before the fight your mom died, did you ever think about calling off the fight at that stage?

James Douglass: No, not at all. I knew my mom wouldn’t have wanted me to not be able to fulfill my dream and win the heavyweight championship so I had to remain strong and go forward with the fight.

Robert Brown: Did your mother’s dead help you focus?

James Douglass: Like I said before, my focus was always there but my mom passing made it more clear that it was my time to shine because not only did my mom pass but there were a lot of things that were trying to be distracting during my training sessions.

There were a lot of other things that could have distracted me but my mom passing made me even more determined to fulfill my dream and to become the heavyweight champion of the world. I knew that it was my destiny, there was something inside me that I said, “With all these things going on, this must be my time.” I just stayed focused and kept my eye on the prize.

Robert Brown: As the fight began to unfold, did you begin to realize that Mike knew you weren’t going to be intimidated like the rest of the fighters?

James Douglass: I don’t think he did. He fought throughout the whole fight, he was really trying to get me regardless of what I was doing. He was very determined because the shots that I was hitting him with in the tenth round were the same shots that I was hitting him with in the first round and he took them pretty good and he was able to withstand them. I just had to continue to keep chopping on him and let my hands go and after that it was the end result. By the tenth round he just had enough, he couldn’t take anymore.

Robert Brown: In the eight round you dropped your guard a little bit and he caught you with an uppercut and you went down. How badly were you hurt when you went down?

James Douglass: I wasn’t hurt, I felt as though I was pushed. That was the eight round and I kind of took a moment to try to look at him and start admiring my work. That’s how dangerous he was because just that moment I wanted to sit back and start reflecting on what I was doing and I got caught with a punch.

It was a good punch but it was more of like a forceful punch that knocked me down. I wasn’t hurt, I just felt like I was knocked off balance. I recovered immediately and then I was able to get up and come back very strong in the ninth round and of course finish him in the tenth round.

Robert Brown: By the end of the ninth round, did you feel that it was over?

James Douglass: No because he was fighting throughout the fight. I just felt that I had to keep doing what I was doing. I think if it went to the decision, he would have won the fight because he was ahead on the score cards, believe it or not. The only way I was gonna beat Mike Tyson was to knock him out. Fortunately I stayed focused and my dream came true.

Robert Brown: You knocked Mike Tyson out, what were the emotions you were going through at that stage?

James Douglas: It was a childhood dream come true, a lifelong dream of being the best in the world and I was able to accomplish that. It was a fulfilling moment in my life and I felt as though my father was a professional fighter and he was a big influence in my life and watching him in his career then to be able to take the torch so to speak and go there and fulfill a dream of becoming a champion, it was just a wonderful moment. It was a tremendous moment in my life.

Robert Brown: How do you feel about the current heavyweight scene and how far do you think Deontay Wilder can go?

James Douglas: I think it’s a great opportunity for an American heavyweight to get those title belts back. It’s an opportunity to get the championship belts back in the United States.

Robert Brown: Do you think Deontay Wilder has the goods to become a really good heavyweight champion?

James Douglas: He has a good shot at it, he’s in great shape and he seems to have a good punch and knows a little bit. It’s a great opportunity that’s coming up for him. We’ll see, I’ll be tuning in for sure.

Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on the Mayweather-Pacquiao saga and do you think the fight is gonna happen?

James Douglas: I just heard that the fight is supposed to happen in May next year. If that’s true, that’s great, I’ll be tuning in for that as well. I think it’s gonna be an exciting fight and I think a lot of both of those guys, they’re great champions and it’s something that’s gonna be good for boxing.

Robert Brown: Who do you think would win that fight?

James Douglas: I’m gonna go with Mayweather. I think Floyd Mayweather is a class act and he has great ability, so I’m gonna go with Mayweather to beat Manny Pacquiao