Mike Tyson avoided professional boxing.
James `` Buster '' Douglas ( born April 7 , 1960 ) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1990 , and 1996 to 1999 . Evander Holyfield ( born October 19 , 1962 ) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2011 . Heavyweight is a weight class in boxing and other combat sports . Michael Gerard Tyson ( [ ˈtaɪsən ] born June 30 , 1966 ) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005 .