Britain's Lennox Lewis flattened Mike Tyson with a powerful right hand after two minutes and 25 seconds of the eighth round to retain his world heavyweight boxing crown.
Lewis retained the World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight titles while former undisputed world champion Tyson fell.
"This was my defining fight that the whole world wanted to see," Lewis said. "This guy bit me and I just decided he was going to get some discipline.
"I wanted to complete my legacy, wanted to prove to people I'm the best fighter on the planet."
A punishing right hand to the chin spelled doom for Tyson, who had been punished round after round by the champion's superior jab and solid rights and uppercuts.
"Basically I wanted to stay to the game plan, use the jab," Lewis said. "He was still determined, still tough. He can take a hell of a punch. I was shocked that he was able to take them. The punches were hard and he took them like a man."
Tyson twice asked for a rematch with Lewis, who has also mentioned retirement as a possibility.
"He was just masterful, a splendid fighter," Tyson said. "He should continue fighting."
"Anything is possible," Lewis said. "I'm going to take it one day at a time. If the public demands (a rematch), we should do it."
AFP