Michael Gerard Tyson was born in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, in 1966. He has two siblings, a brother, Rodney, and a sister named Denise, who died at 24 due to a heart attack. Tyson’s mother, who came from Charlottesville, was rumored to be a woman of easy virtue. According to his birth certificate, his biological father, Purcell Tyson, was a taxi driver from Jamaica. However, a man named Jimmy Kirkpatrick, who was also a pimp, raised Tyson. Learn more about the Brooklyn native’s life at i-brooklyn.
Difficult childhood
Tyson was raised in crime-ridden neighborhoods. His first fight happened after one older boy decapitated one of Tyson’s pigeons. He was often caught committing petty crimes and getting into fights with those who made fun of his high-pitched voice and lisp. By the age of 13, he had been detained 38 times. Despite this, he managed to complete the Tryon School for boys in Johnstown. Bobby Stewart, an advisor at the juvenile detention center and former boxer, recognized Tyson’s boxing talent. Stewart believed he was a special fighter, so he prepared him for several months before introducing Mike to Cus D’Amato. The man was a boxing manager and trainer.
This is how Mike developed his fascination with boxing. Tyson won gold medals as an amateur athlete at the Junior Olympic Games in 1981 and 1982. He received a gold medal in 1984 at the Nation Golden Gloves competition in NY. He had a bout with Henry Tillman two times but lost both matches by the referee’s decision. Tillman won the gold in the heavyweight category at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 1984.
Professional career
Tyson’s career lasted from 1985 to 2005. In his early years he was called “Iron Mike” and “Kid Dynamite,” but later turned to the “Baddest Man on the Planet.” He is considered one of the most prominent athletes in boxing history. From 1987 to 1990, he remained the world’s top heavyweight champion, claiming 19 victories by knockout, 12 of which were in the first round.
At the age of 20 years, Mike won his first belt, making him the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was the first such boxer to hold the WBA, WBC and IBF belts at once. The next year, Tyson knocked out M. Spinks in just 91 seconds of the first round, thereby achieving the title of lineal champion. In 1990, Tyson was famously defeated by Buster Douglas. This bout is still one of the biggest misunderstandings in boxing history.
Rape allegations
Michael became famous not only for boxing career. In 1992, Tyson was found guilty of rape and sentenced to six years in prison. However, he was freed on parole after serving three years. After being released in 1995, he resumed fighting in 1996 to reclaim the WBA and WBC titles. Mike wanted to be like F. Patterson, M. Ali, T. Witherspoon, E. Holyfield and G. Foreman, who became heavyweight champions after a defeat. After losing the WBC title, Tyson was defeated by Holyfield in the eleventh round for the WBA title. Their rematch in 1997 was stopped because Tyson bit Holyfield’s ear and was disqualified. In 2002, Tyson was beaten by Lewis in the bout for the world heavyweight title.
Mike Tyson was famous for his aggressive and ferocious boxing style, as well as his erratic behavior both in and out of the ring. He said that he followed the example of Sonny Liston. Many considered this boxer the most dangerous fighter in history. 88% of his victories were due to knockouts, placing him 16th on the list of the 100 best punchers ever. However, it did not save him from his troubles.