Boxing

Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard Tyson was born on June 30, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York. After run-ins with the law and expulsion from high school, Tyson was taken out of reform school by boxing trainer Cus D'mato. Cus saw the potential in this troubled kid and knew what he could become if given the right influence and training. With Cus's guidance, Mike Tyson became the hottest young heavyweight in professional boxing and was soon on the road to the heavyweight crown. Cus D'Amato's tragic death from pneumonia in 1985 was a blow to Mike Tyson, but he continued the journey to the heavyweight title with trainer Kevin Rooney at his side along with promoters Jim Jacobs and Bill Cayton.

Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in heavyweight history (20 years, 144 days) when he knocked out the then WBC Champion Trevor Berbick in the second round of their matchup on November 22, 1986, breaking Floyd Patterson's mark. He then went on to conquer the WBA and the IBF versions of the heavyweight crown from James "Bonecrusher" Smith and Tony Tucker, respectively. This made Mike Tyson the first undisputed champion since Leon Spinks. Tyson reigned supreme as the undisputed champ, easily defeating all challengers. In late 1988, Mike Tyson and trainer Kevin Rooney parted ways over a dispute over Mike's then wife, actress Robin Givens. Tyson's next fight against Frank Bruno in February 1989 was his first without Rooney and the first in which Mike Tyson was noticeably wobbled in a fight. Tyson soon lost his undisputed titles in February of 1990, when he was knocked out by 42-1 underdog Buster Douglas in the eleventh round in what is known as the biggest upset in boxing history. Iron Mike, determined to recapture his crown, returned to the ring with a vengeance, quickly dispensing of Henry Tillman, Alex Stewart, and Donovan "Razor" Ruddock. He was scheduled to challenge Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight crown when he was indicted on rape charges in Indiana. A jury soon convicted him of the charges and Mike sentenced to six years in an Indiana state penitentiary. One of boxing's most talented fighters was gone.

In the early morning hours of March 1995, Mike Tyson was released from an Indiana state prison.The world was buzzing with the news and thoughts on the future of this former world champion.Wasting little time, Mike was back in the gym one month later - determined to regain the crown that had eluded him since 1990. His first bout was against a little known Irish club fighter by the name of Peter McNeeley. Tyson wasted little time disposing of his overmatched opponent, knocking him to the canvas fifteen seconds into the match. A minute and fifteen seconds and a knockdown later, McNeeley's corner stepped into halt the bout. Mike then went on to defeat feather-fisted Buster Mathis Jr., and then challenged Frank Bruno's WBC heavyweight crown. Tyson pummelled the Englishman into submission on March 16, 1996, regaining the heavyweight crown. Bruce Seldon was next on the opponent list for the new champ, and Mike wasted little time in disposing of the glass-jawed WBA champ. Next Iron Mike would go on to face the IBF champ Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield.