Big Bucks For “Buster” Boxing

42-to-1.  Those were the odds James “Buster” Douglas was given to beat Mike Tyson on February 11, 1990 in Tokyo.  Only one casino gave the odds as most others thought Tyson was a guaranteed winner.  Douglas pulled together a Han Solo “Never tell me the odds.” attitude, and ended up beating Tyson.  It was an upset the boxing world didn’t see coming.  For a little over eight months, Douglas held the heavyweight championship title before losing it to Evander Holyfield.

Considering he’s a boxer, collectors have plenty of options when it comes to his cards.  About (74) cards make up the James “Buster” Douglas checklist.  They start in 1991, and go all the way to 2016.  Thanks to products such as 2009 Upper Deck Prominent Cuts, 2010 Ringside Boxing Round 1, 2011 Ringside Boxing Round 2, 2013 Leaf Sports Heroes, 2013 Leaf Pop Century, and 2016 Leaf Pop Century, he has many autographs and relics available.

Some of his cards command quite the price.  Especially if Mike Tyson is on there with him.  One of the more expensive items you could add to your James “Buster” Douglas collection isn’t even a card at all.  Its a video game for the SEGA Master System.  Going into the fight as an underdog, and defeating Mike Tyson comes with it’s share of perks.  SEGA quickly signed him to a deal, and pictured him on the front of James “Buster” Douglas Knockout Boxing.

Personally, I’m not familiar with the Master System.  At that time I had a Nintendo Entertainment System, and SEGA’s newer system the Genesis.  Released in 1990, James “Buster” Douglas Knockout Boxing came out an entire year after the Genesis had already been out.  This game came out when demand for Master System games was on the decline.  Very few copies were produced and/or sold.  By then, SEGA fans wanted Genesis games.

Owning a copy of James “Buster” Douglas Knockout Boxing for the Master System will cost you more than a lot of his cards combined.  Complete copies sell for $600+.  A Genesis version does exist, but is barely worth anything.

Sports video games traditionally tank in price over the years.  Its difficult for that genre to hold value.  Whenever I come across one that hasn’t tanked, I enjoy learning about it.

Card of the Day: Whammy Douglas 1959 Topps #431

Card of the Day: Matt Ryan / Harry Douglas 2008 UD SP Rookie Threads Multi Marks Dual Auto

Even Gordon Gekko Has A Card

One of the coolest characters to be played on film has to be Michael Douglas’s character Gordon Gekko, at least from a business standpoint.  I saw the first Wall Street back in 2004 when I was a senior in high school.  At the time I didn’t really get it, but after seeing it more and more I understood what it was about.

Yesterday I went to see the sequel, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, and I really enjoyed it.  I thought it was a great addition to the first.  After Gordon Gekko is released from prison for insider trading, he looks as if all he is doing is promoting his new book.  He tries to make you believe that he’s out of the game for good, but in reality he’s in control of it all and is just sitting in the shadows watching for the perfect time to strike.  I also thought it was cool to see Charlie Sheen’s character Bud Fox make a return from the original film.

As for cards, you can find a Gordon Gekko playing card in one of the Oddball sets.  I’m surprised that Upper Deck never did anything with him for Prominent Cuts.