Today is the 58th birthday of one of the most beloved boxers of all time, the legendary ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, who with his spectacular knockouts, unmatched competitive ferocity, and unique attacking movements has inspired millions of people around the globe. A life marked by tumult and unrest and a career that saw him go from unprecedented dominance in his youth to physical decline in later years, Tyson still divides experts and fans today between those who consider him a peerless genius and those who doubt the quality of his main opponents. So let’s go through the fundamental stages that led Iron Mike to establish himself as the most spectacular heavyweight of all time.
Cus D’Amato’s teachings and the Olympic disappointment
Growing up in one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous neighborhoods, Mike Tyson’s childhood was characterized by violence, fights, both inflicted and endured, and petty crimes that often led him to juvenile detention. However, it was during one of these detentions that he had his first inspiration from the world that would later become the cornerstone of his life: an encounter with the legendary Muhammad Ali, who visited the young detainees, gave him a glimpse of a different future. Serving as his mentor in his boxing development, to the point of becoming a true adoptive father, was the legendary trainer Cus D’Amato, who found in Mike the ideal athlete, both in inclination and physical characteristics, to perfect his famous “Peek-a-Boo” style. Intensive training in the gym combined with repeated viewings of footage of past great boxers turned Tyson into a punching machine, so much so that as an amateur, Cus’ favorite pupil won 48 of the 54 fights he fought. However, this was not enough to fulfill his dream of participating in the Olympics: his compatriot Henry Tillman managed to defeat him twice on points, albeit controversially, exploiting cunning and greater experience and pushing him into the direct leap into professionalism.
Cus’s death and the triumphant climb to the world championship
Unfortunately, D’Amato did not live to see his protégé on top of the world. On November 4, 1985, when Mike had already fought and won his first 11 professional matches, the elderly trainer passed away, leaving his athlete in the capable hands of Kevin Rooney, a product of the same boxing school, and manager Jim Jacobs. The latter soon became a personal friend and mentor to Tyson before dying prematurely of leukemia in 1988, a loss that was destined to have a significant and detrimental impact on the career of the Brooklyn-born fighter. Bare-chested, Tyson was even more lethal than he was as an amateur, and in a very short time, his fame reached anyone involved in boxing, arousing curiosity and interest. Of the 27 boxers he faced before the world title, only James Tillis managed to give the great Mike some trouble, surrendering only on points after a largely balanced fight; all the others were dominated without appeal and almost all knocked out. A similar fate befell WBC champion Trevor Berbick, whom Tyson annihilated in just two rounds, thus avenging the defeat of his idol Muhammad Ali, who was beaten on points by Berbick when he was already in total decline. The images of the reigning champion being tossed from side to side of the ring and unable to get up despite multiple attempts after the decisive knockdown went around the world: a new terrifying puncher was about to make heavyweight history.
A compelling reign concluded with a stunning downfall
As a world champion, Tyson quickly built a reputation for invincibility. His opponents fell like ninepins, his extremely violent combinations forced those in front of him to immediately switch to survival mode in an often futile attempt to make it to the final bell. The beatings inflicted on Pinklon Thomas and Tyrell Biggs were devastating, and the KO on the old Larry Holmes, who came out of retirement for an intergenerational challenge, saw him swept away in just four rounds. It went even worse for IBF champion Michael Spinks, whose attempt to win the highly anticipated unification fight lasted just a minute and a half. Just after this lightning victory, something began to change in the world champion’s team: his longtime trainer Kevin Rooney was removed following a dispute of an economic nature, and Tyson’s professionalism in training gradually began to decline. Persuaded by now that he could effortlessly overpower anyone, Iron Mike showed up for the tenth title defense in poor shape: just a few days earlier, he had been knocked out by his sparring partner Greg Page, a dire omen of what would happen in the ring in Tokyo, where the heavily unfavored James “Buster” Douglas honored his recently deceased mother by knocking out the champion after an unforgettable fight.
The shocking conviction and the double challenge with rival Holyfield
Returning to the scene in his own way, taking revenge with a spectacular first-round KO on Tillman who had “stolen” his place at the Olympics, Mike seemed on the verge of competing for the world title again, but after four consecutive victories, a very heavy blow fell on his career and his life: beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington accused the boxer of rape, and the court ruled in favor of the young woman, sentencing Tyson, who still maintains his innocence, to 10 years in prison. He served about three, being released for good behavior in 1995 and trying to resume where he left off before the legal case, when his fight against former cruiserweight king Evander Holyfield seemed about to happen. The two finally faced off in November 1996, but after a blazing start, Tyson failed to maintain momentum: unusually static and constantly intent on finding the single decisive blow, Cus D’Amato’s former pupil was dominated for long stretches and stopped by referee Mitch Halpern when he appeared on the verge of collapsing. The subsequent rematch went down in history, but not for sporting reasons: after losing the first two rounds and showing encouraging signs of awakening in the third, Tyson lost his cool, angered by his opponent’s headbutts, and bit off part of his ear. The inevitable disqualification essentially ended Iron Mike’s career at the highest levels.
The last trumpet calls and the sad decline
The umpteenth comeback showed the world a Tyson even further diminished than his prime. His power was still considerable, and the mid-range opponents he faced couldn’t withstand his onslaughts, but his reflexes, agility in movement, and the fluidity of the renowned trunk twists were a pale imitation of those in his heyday. The much-publicized showdown with the new unified champion Lennox Lewis was therefore an event whose media importance outweighed its sporting significance. Tyson quickly ran out of steam, almost never managed to close the distance effectively, and was ultimately knocked out by a powerful right hook to the temple for the final count. Even less significant from a historical evaluation were his last two defeats to the modest Danny Williams and Kevin McBride, who easily got the better of an Iron Mike now a shadow of his former self.
Fortunately, with the passing of time and after having to overcome other difficult moments, from financial bankruptcy to the tragic death of his daughter Exodus caused by a domestic accident, Tyson seems to have finally found, over the past decade, the serenity that had been an unreachable mirage for so many years. A serenity sufficient to put himself back in the game even between the ropes, first with the exhibition fight against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020 and now with the sensational announcement of his official fight against YouTuber Jake Paul, scheduled for November 15th. The latter news has sparked much controversy and mixed opinions, but that’s another story.