Who Is Buster Douglas? Age, Biography and Wiki
Buster Douglas, born on April 7, 1960, is an iconic American boxer best known for his stunning knockout victory over Mike Tyson in 1990. As of 2025, Buster is 65 years old. He made his mark in the heavyweight boxing division not only through his fighting skills but also through his remarkable resilience and determination. Douglas's unexpected triumph over Tyson is still regarded as one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, earning him a place in sports lore.
| Occupation | Basketball Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 7, 1960 |
| Age | 65 Years |
| Birth Place | Columbus, Ohio, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aries |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Buster Douglas's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm), Buster Douglas has an athletic build that contributed to his success in the ring. He fought professionally at a weight typically around 229 pounds (104 kg) during his boxing career. As he has transitioned away from competitive boxing, his current weight may fluctuate as per his lifestyle choices.
The Tyson fight was scheduled for February 11, 1990 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. Almost all observers assumed that the bout would be another quick knockout for the champion; no fighter had taken Tyson beyond the fifth round since 1987.
Many thought it was a tune-up for Tyson before a future mega-fight with undefeated Evander Holyfield, who had recently moved up to heavyweight after becoming the first undisputed world cruiserweight champion in the history of that weight class.
Douglas's chances of lasting deep into the fight against Tyson, let alone winning, were so lightly regarded that only one Las Vegas betting parlor even bothered to establish odds for the fight. That lone casino, the Mirage, made Douglas a 42-to-1 underdog.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Despite his fame, Buster Douglas has managed to keep his personal life relatively private. He was previously married to his high school sweetheart, and they share children together. However, as of 2025, Buster is believed to be dating a long-term companion, while details about their relationship remain discreet. Douglas values his family deeply and often mentions the support system they provide him beyond the boxing sphere.
The son of professional boxer William "Dynamite" Douglas and Lula Pearl Douglas, Douglas grew up in Columbus, Ohio, in the predominantly Black Linden neighborhood of Windsor Terrace.
His father ran a gym at the Blackburn Recreation Center near Downtown Columbus and subsequently introduced young James to boxing (in the same way James would later bring his son Lamar to the same gym).
He attended Linden McKinley High School, where he played football and basketball, leading Linden to a Class AAA state basketball championship in 1977. After high school, Douglas played basketball for the Coffeyville Community College Red Ravens in Coffeyville, Kansas, from 1977 to 1978; the 17-year-old was a 6'0" power forward.
He is in the Coffeyville Community College Men's Basketball Hall of Fame. He also played basketball at Sinclair Community College from 1979 to 1980 in Dayton, Ohio, before attending Mercyhurst University on a basketball scholarship. He moved back to Columbus to focus on boxing.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Buster Douglas's net worth is estimated to be around $20 million. This figure is a result of not just his boxing career earnings, which included a substantial payday from his fight against Tyson, but also endorsements, speaking engagements, and various investments. Douglas's continued involvement in the boxing community and related enterprises has helped maintain and even grow his wealth over the years.
Career, Business and Investments
Buster Douglas's boxing career spanned over a decade, during which he fought numerous high-profile matches and earned the WBC heavyweight title. After retiring, Douglas ventured into various business opportunities, including coaching and sports commentary. He also invests in health and fitness businesses, seeing the importance of wellness stemming from his own experiences in the sport. Douglas remains an active speaker, often sharing his inspiring journey with younger boxers and aspiring athletes.
In the tenth round, the damage Douglas had inflicted upon Tyson finally began to take its toll on the champion. Douglas dominated the round from the outset. While setting Tyson up with his jab, Douglas scored a huge uppercut that snapped Tyson's head upward.
He followed with a rapid four-punch combination to the head, knocking Tyson down for the first time in the champion's career. Tyson struggled to his knees and picked up his mouthpiece, which was lying on the mat next to him. He awkwardly tried to place it back into his mouth.
The image of Tyson's mouthpiece hanging crookedly from his lips would become an enduring image from the fight. He was unable to beat the referee's ten-count, and Douglas was the new world heavyweight champion.
Social Network
Buster Douglas is active on social media, where he engages with fans and shares insights about his life post-boxing. He uses platforms like Instagram and Twitter to communicate personal anecdotes, motivational quotes, and updates about his career. His social media presence extends to discussing health and fitness topics, reflecting his commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
Douglas's joy over the victory soon turned to confusion and anger as manager John Johnson informed him in the dressing room that Tyson and Don King were lodging an official protest about the referee's knockdown count in the eighth round. A week later, during a television interview, Douglas said that the protest and the post-fight confusion ruined what should have been the best time of his life.
Education
While Douglas achieved prominence in the boxing world, he also valued education. He graduated from Thomas Worthington High School in Ohio and attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he honed his boxing skills. Buster often emphasizes the significance of balancing education with passion, encouraging young athletes to pursue knowledge alongside their sports ambitions.
Douglas debuted on May 31, 1981, defeating Dan O'Malley in a four-round bout. He was managed by former Ohio State University assistant football coach John Johnson. Douglas won his first five fights before coming into a fight with David Bey weighing 20 pounds heavier than he usually had for his previous bouts.
Bey handed Douglas his first defeat by knocking him out in the second round. After six more fights, all of which he won, Douglas fought Steffen Tangstad to a draw on October 16, 1982. He was penalized two points during the course of the fight, which proved to be the difference on the judges' scorecards.
