1966: Born June 30th, Brooklyn, New York.

1979: Taken by trainer Cus D'Amato from reform school.

1984: Jim Jacobs takes over as his manager after D'Amato's death. Narrowly fails to make US Olympic team.

1985: Starts professional career with first-round knockout of Hector Mercedes.

1986: At 20 years 144 days, becomes youngest heavyweight champion by knocking out Trevor Berbick in second round to win WBC title.

1987: Wins WBA heavyweight title with unanimous decision over James `Bonecrusher' Smith. Becomes undisputed heavyweight champion with decision over IBF title holder Tony Tucker.

1990: Knocked out by James `Buster' Douglas in 10th round in Tokyo to lose world heavyweight title.

1995: Wins comeback fight against Peter McNeeley in 89 seconds in Las Vegas on August 19th after McNeeley is disqualified. Beats Buster Mathis jnr on December 16th in Philadelphia with third-round knockout.

1996: Regains WBC heavyweight title with third-round stoppage of Frank Bruno in Las Vegas. Beats Bruce Seldon on September 7th with first-round knockout to take his WBA title. Relinquishes WBC title on September 25th to avoid facing Lennox Lewis. On November 9th, defends WBA title against Evander Holyfield and is stopped in 11th round.

1997: On June 28th, challenges Holyfield for WBA title and is disqualified in the third round for biting his opponent's ears. Is subsequently banned for a year by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

1998: Is granted new licence to fight by Nevada after securing a four to one vote in his favour.

Record: Fights: 48. Wins: 45. Defeats: 3. Knockouts: 15. TKOs: 24. Disqualified wins: 1. Points wins: 5.