Mike Tyson and Boxing's 13 Biggest Temper Tantrums

It takes hard work, dedication and a disciplined individual to be a respected practitioner of the sweet science. Although violent, boxing is a sport where the rules and traditions are upheld to provide the most esteemed form of fighting on the planet.

There are moments when the dedication to the sport grows too much for an individual, however, and the frustration of not winning can explode in ugly and disturbing ways (Mike Tyson, anyone?)

In the following slides, we'll explore 13 of the biggest temper tantrums in boxing history. Whether it was a trainer, the audience or even the boxers themselves, any occasion is fair game as long as it happened inside the ring.

So what are you waiting for? Click next and see if your personal favorite made the list.

Andrew Golota vs. Riddick Bowe I

We’re going to start off this list with an Andrew Golota-thon.

Essentially handpicked as a tomato can for Riddick Bowe, Andrew Golota was surprisingly controlling much of the fight, but not before being deducted several points for low blows.

In the seventh round, he appeared to have Bowe in trouble when he felled Bowe with a huge shot below the belt. He was immediately disqualified, and what ensued only the video can tell.

Andrew Golota vs Riddick Bowe II

In the sequel, the contest was much closer, although Andrew Golota was still ahead on the scorecards.

For reasons known only to Golota, however, he resorted to low blows yet again. This time, however, instead of one shot, the “Foul Pole” landed a three-punch combination to knock down Bowe.

The highlights of the fight are worth a watch, but the low blows begin at 9:30.

Andrew Golota vs. Mike Tyson

The Golota-thon continues.

In 2000, Andrew Golota took on heavy-hitter Mike Tyson. After only two rounds with Iron Mike, Golota quits. He pushes the referee and his trainers as they implore him to continue fighting, but he refuses.

It would be the last high-profile fight of his career.

Vitali Klitschko vs. Lennox Lewis

As a boxer, Vitali’s actions after the doctor stopped his fight with Lennox Lewis are tame.

As a doctor, he should be ashamed.

Perhaps one of the sport’s most intelligent and well-spoken fighter’s, Klitschko was clearly upset his title match against Lewis was stopped, especially since he was winning.

This is the most rambunctious you will ever see a man with a PhD become.

Muhammad Ali vs. Ernie Terrell

In 1967, Muhammad Ali was on the top of his game. He was brash, young, outspoken and the heavyweight champion of the world.

Ernie Terrell was one of his latest challengers. He was also one of the few to call him “Cassius Clay,” something that Ali referred to as his “slave name.”

Ali didn’t like to be called Cassius, but Terrell continued anyways.

When it came to fight time, Ali put a clinic on Terrell. As he landed shots, he would yell “What’s my name?” to the challenger. Whether Ali was justified or not in his antics is up for debate, but there's no confusing it was one of The Greatest's biggest tantrums inside the ring.

Oliver McCall vs. Lennox Lewis II

In 1997, Oliver McCall was the only person who had a win over Lennox Lewis, and the two squared off for a rematch to gain the WBC Heavyweight championship.

In the fourth round, McCall started acting strange. He seemed disinterested in fighting, and would walk away from Lewis with his hands down.

In between rounds, McCall began crying. The fifth round saw more of the same, and Mills Lane did the correct thing in stopping the fight.

It was one of the stranger temperamental changes in boxing history.

Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield II

What can I say about this fight that hasn’t been said already?

Just watch the fight again, and experience one of boxing’s lowest, but entertaining, points. 

Teddy Atlas' Passion During Michael Moorer's Fight

This fight is special in that neither boxer was having the temper tantrum.

Teddy Atlas is known for his fiery passion for the sport, and this is perhaps most evident as he was cornering Michael Moorer. Moorer was challenging Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight championship, but looking at the video, you would think Atlas was the one fighting.

When it comes to passionate cornermen throwing temper tantrums in the ring, however, there's one who outdoes Atlas...

Stoney's Passion

John Ruiz’s longtime trainer and manager, Norman Stone, was well known for his foul mouth and ornery disposition.

It was difficult to choose which one of Stone’s tantrums was the worst, as he has proven a man of unlimited zeal and wordplay throughout a great many fights.

Watch the video, decide for yourself and tell me in the comments below.

Zab Judah vs. Kostya Tszyu

As infamous as this fight is for Zab Judah's chicken dance, it is also recognizable for the temper tantrum he throws at the end of the fight.

In protest of the referee stopping the fight, Zab runs around the ring and throws a stool, he's so upset.

He was fined for his actions after the bell, and his career never quite recovered.

James Butler vs. Richard Grant

Talk about being sucker punched.

In 2001, James “The Harlem Hammer” Butler was a rising light heavyweight prospect. He agreed to face Richard Grant in what would be a charity match for survivors of the 9/11 attacks in New York.

Instead, the event turned ugly. After Grant defeated Butler by decision, the two met in the middle of the ring to exchange congratulations.

Butler took the opportunity to punch the unsuspecting Grant square in the jaw. The strike was made all the more devastating as Butler was not wearing any gloves. He was subsequently jailed for his actions.

The careers of both fighters never recovered, but Butler went on to do smaller and more low-down things before he was finally put away in prison for good.

Crybaby Byun

The 1988 Olympic games in Seoul were notorious for a great many incidences, but they also prompted a temper tantrum from a homegrown boxer by the name of Jung Il-Byun.

Byun was considered the favorite going into his bantamweight fight against Alexandar Hristov. During the fight, Byun was penalized for throwing head-butts to his opponent.

After Hristov walked away with the decision victory, Byun sat in the middle of the ring and began to cry.

Apparently, he was protesting the decision and would not move for over an hour. Eventually, the officials left him in the middle of the ring and turned the lights off on him.

Marvin Hagler vs. Alan Minter

Marvelous Marvin just can't catch a break.

This tantrum doesn't have to do so much with the fighters inside the ring. Rather, it was the audience that was upset at what happened between the ropes.

In 1980, Marvin Hagler challenged Alan Minter in London for the undisputed middleweight championship of the world. He made short work of Minter, and the fight was stopped on cuts in the third round.

After being announced the winner, Hagler dropped to his knees, elated that he finally had become world champion...

And then the beer came flying in.

Minter was the hometown favorite. After seeing their hero brutalized by Hagler, the crowd began throwing beer and other objects as Hagler was on his knees celebrating.

Worse riots have happened, but the British audience felt it was better to channel their tantrum inside the ring and haze Hagler for being such a great boxer.

Shame on them.