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Mike Tyson demolished the only heavyweight to equal Rocky Marciano’s famous 49-0 record when he traveled to Denmark in 2001 and battered the history-making Dane in front of his own fans. Marciano retired undefeated at 49-0 in 1956, leaving behind a number that became one of the most celebrated benchmarks in heavyweight boxing. Larry Holmes came within one victory of matching it three decades later, reaching 48-0 before Michael Spinks defeated him by decision in September 1985. Brian Nielsen went where Holmes couldn’t, winning the first 49 fights of his professional career before discovering that matching Marciano’s number and surpassing it were two very different things. Brian Nielsen Equals Rocky Marciano’s 49-0 Nielsen matched Marciano’s mark in April 1999 when he stopped former heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon in four rounds in Copenhagen. He attempted to make it 50-0 two months later, only for Dicky Ryan to ruin the party by stopping him in the tenth round. ‘Super Brian’ responded by winning another 13 fights and rebuilding his record to 62-1, setting up the biggest night of his career against Tyson. Mike Tyson Heads to Denmark Tyson arrived at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on October 13, 2001, long removed from the terrifying heavyweight who had ripped through the division during the 1980s. He was 35 and fighting for the first time in almost a year. However, the ferocious power remained. Nielsen also had considerable physical advantages. The Dane weighed almost 260 pounds, around 20 pounds heavier than Tyson, and entered with 63 professional fights behind him. The Danish crowd made its feelings known before the opening bell, with plastic ears thrown toward the ring in reference to Tyson’s infamous disqualification against Evander Holyfield four years earlier. Once the fight started, the joke quickly wore thin as Tyson took control and began breaking down a man who had lost only once in more than 60 professional fights. A cut opened around Nielsen’s left eye during the second round before Tyson dropped him heavily in the third, but the Dane got back to his feet and fought on. Tyson Batters Nielsen Into Submission Nielsen’s face became increasingly marked as the fight progressed and his left eye began closing. By the sixth round, Nielsen was struggling to see Tyson’s punches coming. “The last few punches I couldn’t see,” Nielsen said afterward. “I did the best I could. I’m very disappointed.” Nielsen’s corner stopped the contest after the sixth rather than send him back out for further punishment. Years later, Nielsen claimed a headbutt had contributed to the damage around his eye. Whatever role the clash played, there was little argument about who had controlled the fight. Tyson had gone into Nielsen’s backyard and handed the 62-1 heavyweight a beating. “I’m back,” Tyson declared afterward. Tyson nevertheless gave Nielsen credit, saying, “He put on a heck of a fight,” and describing him as “a tough guy” who had been difficult to hit. The victory took Tyson toward one final opportunity to become heavyweight champion again. His next fight came against Lennox Lewis in Memphis in June 2002, when Lewis stopped him in eight rounds. Nielsen’s 49-0 Legacy At the time, little was made of Nielsen’s benchmark because of the nature of many of his victories and the opponents he faced. There was no doubting the Great Dane’s power, though, and he had proved it on plenty of occasions. Nielsen defeated former heavyweight champions Witherspoon and Larry Holmes during his career, but Tyson was a massive step up and ultimately a significant step too far. Equaling Marciano’s record remains an achievement Nielsen can tell his grandchildren about, but it is unlikely to be a tale ever celebrated at the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In the cold light of day, Nielsen is remembered more for being one of Tyson’s post-prison sacrifices before losing to Evander Holyfield when both men were way over the hill ten years later. Marciano retired at 49-0 and became immortalized for it. Nielsen reached the same number, tried for 50 and lost before eventually running into the infamous Tyson. About the Author Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.