Mike Tyson; The rise and fall of world’s best boxer

Mike Tyson Early Life

Born in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, Mike Tyson lived in a tough neighborhood of New York City. Raised in an environment of poverty and instability, his childhood was filled with challenges.

Tyson was very young when his father (Purcell Tyson) abandoned the family, leaving his mother to raise him and his two siblings, Rodney and Denise, alone. One can only imagine how tough it must have been for a single mother to bring up the kids in such a neighborhood.

In his early years Tyson got often bullied due to his lisp and weight, which led him to develop a rough exterior. By the age of 13, Tyson had been arrested nearly 40 times for petty crimes and street fights.

Looking at his shenanigans he was sent to the Tryon School for Boys, a reform school where his boxing talent was discovered by counselor Bobby Stewart. Recognizing Tyson’s potential, Stewart introduced him to Cus D’Amato, a legendary boxing trainer who became his legal guardian after the death of Tyson’s mother. Under D’Amato’s mentorship, Tyson learned boxing, discipline and channeled all his rage in the ring. This collaboration also set the stage for Tyson as the world boxing champion.

Rise to Boxing Stardom

Mike Tyson started his professional boxing career in 1985 at the age of 18 and quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive boxing style. In 1986, at just 20 years, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history by defeating Trevor Berbick.
Further on Tyson went on to win the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles, becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world.

From 1986- 1990, Tyson shocked the world of boxing with his impressive knockouts. Here are some of Mike Tyson’s notable fights:

1- Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick (1986) – Tyson’s victory made him the youngest heavyweight champion.

2- Tyson vs. Larry Holmes (1988) – Tyson defeated the legendary Holmes with a fourth-round knockout.

3-Tyson vs. Michael Spinks (1988) – A 91-second knockout victory cemented his status as the baddest man on the planet.

4- Tyson vs. Buster Douglas (1990) – A shocking upset, as Tyson lost his undisputed title to Douglas in a dramatic fight in Tokyo.

5- Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield I & II (1996 & 1997) – These controversial bouts are famous for the “Bite Fight,” where Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear in their second match, leading to his disqualification.

6. Tyson Vs Jake Paul (2024) – Arguably the biggest boxing gate in US boxing history. 58 year old Tyson went against 27 year old Jake Paul. Though Tyson lost the fight via unanimous decision but he ended up with $20million for this fight. Ain’t that something!

Mike Tyson Controversies

In 1991 Tyson’s life took a 360 degree turn when Desiree Washington, an 18 year old Miss Black American contestant accused him of rape. Within a day the media started covering the story and Tyson’s world came crashing down. A year of court trial and Tyson got convicted of rape and sentenced to six years in prison. The boxer served the jail time for three years and got released on parole in 1995.

Stripped of his WBC title, Tyson in 1996, made a comeback with his epic fight with Evander Holyfield. Unfortunately the fight got stopped in the 11th round and a re-match got scheduled the following year. Once again the boxers stepped into the ring in 1997. However, this time Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear in third round and got disqualified.

In 2005 Tyson announced his retirement after his shocking loss to Kevin McBride. In his post match interview, Tyson said, “I just don’t have this in my heart anymore”. He also said, “I don’t want to disrespect the sport that I love. My heart is not into this anymore”.

Life after Boxing

Post-retirement, Tyson continued to struggle with substance abuse, mental health challenges and personal loss. However, over the years he has undergone a significant transformation, and adopted a healthier lifestyle.

You must be surprised to know that Tyson has dabbled in acting, writing and various business ventures. Here is a list of his notable work after retiring from boxing.

• In 2013, Tyson along with author Lary Sloman published his autobiography “Undisputed Truth.” The book is a bestseller and it is a must read for all his fans.
• Starred in films like The Hangover, China Salesman, and Rocky Balboa.
• Launched his podcast “Hotboxin” where he interviews various celebrities and athletes.
• Mike is the owner of 420 acre “Tyson Ranch” a cannabis resort in California.

Mike Tyson Legacy

Despite all the controversies, Tyson remains a beloved figure in pop culture and a symbol of redemption. Today, Tyson continues to inspire everyone with his life, demonstrating the power of perseverance, kindness, and unwavering dedication, he proves that even in the face of challenges, one person can make a significant impact.