Presented here is a program from Mike Tyson’s professional boxing debut signed by the feared pugilist. After winning gold medals in 1981 and 1982 at the Junior Olympic Games, Tyson turned pro. He fought his first professional bout against Hector Mercedes at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany, New York, on March 6, 1985. Tyson, showing the fury and power that would dominate boxing for most of the late 1980s, defeated Mercedes by Technical knockout in the first round. Tyson would fight 15 bouts in his first year as a professional and win 26 of his first 28 fights by knockout or technical knockout, with 16 of those wins coming in the first round. This presented program is from Tyson's first professional fight and features ads for local restaurants and a scorecard for the fight. The cover is labeled "TRI-CITY PROMOTIONS PRESENTS PROFESSIONAL BOXING" across the top in bold black lettering. The image of a scowling and menacing Tyson and that of his future trainer, "Irish" Kevin Rooney, and short biographies of their careers appear on the program's front. Tyson signed and inscribed "To Lisa" with a red marker across the front of the program. Tyson's signature is bold and clear, and the program is in good condition and comes with an LOA from Beckett Authentication for the signature.

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