The stunning defeat by the little-known Buster Douglas in 1990 was a huge setback in Mike Tyson's quest to dominate world heavyweight boxing.

His rehabilitation over the next 18 months was successful - but by the summer of 1991, a new problem loomed as he faced the possibility of incarceration after being charged with raping Desiree Washington, a participant at a beauty contest.

By February 1992, he had been found guilty of the charge and was given a 10-year jail sentence.

There is no doubt that serving the entire sentence would have brought an end to Tyson's boxing career.

But four years of the term were suspended and under Indiana state rules, the boxer was entitled to a day's parole for every day served in good behaviour.

Sure enough, he was released in 1995 and was back in the ring later that summer.

Evander Holyfield: The man Tyson couldn't beat

By March 1996, Tyson had regained a portion of the heavyweight title with a three round demolition of former foe Frank Bruno.

Another title followed soon after with a single round knockout over Bruce Seldon. That win set up a showdown with Evander Holyfield.

The background to the fight was intriguing, as the pair had been feted to meet on two previous occasions, in 1990 and 1991, but Tyson's loss to Douglas and his legal problems forced those cancellations.

Notoriety

While neither fighter was anywhere near their prime for this encounter, they provided a notable duel which ended in a conclusive defeat for Tyson in 11 rounds.

The subsequent rematch the following summer earned Tyson the in-ring notoriety that had so far escaped him, as he bit off a portion of Holyfield's right ear.

The Nevada sports authority had little hesitation in suspending Tyson from the ring for a year.

Bored at yet another press conferebce

Following his three-year incarceration, Tyson did not need any more time away from the ring.

During his year out, he participated briefly in the World Wrestling Federation and earning handsomely from his efforts.

When his ban was lifted at the end of 1998, he booked an immediate return to the ring, but without promoter King at his side.

Prison

After struggling to subdue South African Francois Botha in five rounds - the same fighter who faces Britain's Lennox Lewis this July - Tyson was sent to prison again for a year in February 1999 for his 'road rage' attack on two motorists.

He was released after just three months, but again his career was being blighted by these enforced absences from the ring.

After a no-contest against Orlin Norris in November of that year, Tyson found that for the first time America no longer wanted to see him fight.

He took to the road, with Manchester the first venue for a two-round annhiliation of British champion Julius Francis.

On trial for rape

Approaching his 34th birthday, Tyson has maybe two years left before his skills erode totally.

In his prime, he was a fast, accurate and heavy puncher who understood the science of boxing better than most ring assassins.

In his current form, only the adjective heavy applies. He still hits hard, but the days of lightning combinations and solid defence are well past.

Few believe he would stand a chance against undisputed champion Lewis and many doubt whether he could even beat the ageing Holyfield.

The story moves on to Glasgow - even Holmes could not have predicted that Tyson would end his career fighting in Scotland.

Click here for part one of the Tyson story.