Tyson turns 50: Iron Mike's 5 best KOs

Former undisputed heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson turned 50 on Thursday. Amid a celebrated career that featured 50 victories, there were 44 knockouts that illustrate the virtues of one of the sport's hardest punchers.

English novelist George Orwell said, "At age 50, everyone has the face he deserves," and while Tyson lost six times in 58 fights, it's his opponents whose faces show the effects of callous punches and thunderous combinations.

Related - Quiz: Did Mike Tyson actually say that?

Here's a look at five furious finishes that stand out among a litany of devastating Tyson knockouts.

Hector Mercedes, TKO1 (March 6, 1985, Albany, N.Y.)

Mercedes had no clue what he was getting himself into against a raw Tyson, blessed with robust punching power.

Tyson needed just 1:47 to win his professional debut with a barrage of punches, the last of which were an assortment of left hooks that stung Mercedes' body. A sign of things to come.

Trevor Berbick, TKO2 (Nov. 22, 1986, Las Vegas)

With no shortage of confidence, Tyson entered his first title fight at the Hilton in Las Vegas certain of victory, proclaiming: "I'll win the title as surely as Tuesday follows Monday."

Tyson backed up that braggadocio by becoming the youngest heavyweight world champion at 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days, courtesy of a thunderous left hook that caught the Jamaican's jaw flush. Berbick then collapsed twice from the one punch as Tyson celebrated the victory by paying tribute to deceased father figure and legendary trainer Cus D'Amato.

Larry Holmes, KO4 (Jan. 22, 1988, Atlantic City, N.J.)

Six months before ending the career of champion Michael Spinks, Tyson made a fool of a past-his-prime Holmes with a near-comical fourth-round barrage of blows.

After a two-year hiatus, Holmes appeared more a punching bag than a towering foe boasting 69 career wins. It was a right hook toward the end of the round that leveled "The Easton Assassin."

Michael Spinks, KO1 (June 27, 1988, Atlantic City, N.J.)

Tyson, three days shy of his 22nd birthday, needed only 91 seconds to dispatch Spinks in what was, at that time, the richest fight in boxing history.

Considered by many the zenith of Tyson's career, the defeat was Spinks' first. It also proved to be the decorated light heavyweight champion and Olympic gold medalist's final fight, and the only one in which he was knocked down.

Henry Tillman, KO1 (June 16, 1990, Las Vegas)

The 1984 Olympic gold medalist Tillman was gifted the unenviable task of facing Tyson four months after he suffered his first career defeat to Buster Douglas in Tokyo.

Compound that with the fact Tillman bested Tyson twice as an amateur and cost Iron Mike an Olympic spot, and the underdog never had a chance. A classic overhand right from Tyson sent a pretzeled Tillman toppling to the mat.