Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tucker, billed as The Ultimate, was a professional boxing match contested on August 1, 1987 for the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight championships.

Once that fight was signed, the IBF responded by stripping Spinks of his championship (although he still was regarded as lineal champion).

Tucker outlasted Douglas and scored a tenth-round technical knockout to win his fight, and Tyson knocked Thomas out in the sixth round to secure the unification match.

Tyson would knock out his next three opponents (Tyrell Biggs, Larry Holmes, and Tony Tubbs) before reaching an agreement in April 1988 to face Spinks.

[5] Tucker would follow up the first loss of his professional career by racking up 14 consecutive victories, landing him another shot at the WBC Heavyweight championship against Lennox Lewis, though he would ultimately lose via unanimous decision.