Mike Tyson- A Boxing Legend
Mike Tyson came from the streets of Brooklyn to dominate the heavyweight world like no one since Muhammad Ali. He has a masterful 'peek-a-boo' defense and a lethal combination of speed and power. He developed himself small and hard to hit, fighting as he did, out of a bend down.
On 30th June 1966, Mike Tyson was born in Brooklyn city. His parents, Lorna Tyson and Kirkpatrick never married and he grew up with his mother after his dad left when he was just two years old.
Mike grew up in a tough environment. He spoke with soft voice and lisp and although a difficult child to control was an angel in comparison with many of his peers on the streets of Brownsville. Mike was pulled out by some of the other kids who would call him "fairy boy" due to the way he spoke; little did they know that he would become one of the greatest boxers of all time. Mike used to collect pigeons- something he still does today - he has his own flock of 2000 which he has reared. When he was about 11-12 years old, an older and much bigger boy than his age pulled the head of one of his beloved pigeons. Mike, who had never really gotten violent until then exploded with rage and beat the boy to a pulp. He astonished himself with his strength at beating up an older, bigger kid.
After this, Mike's childhood began to revolve around a life of crime and was sent to a correction unit where discipline was to be enforced upon him, creating an awkward rebel of a young man. Mike struck a deal with the schools sports coach, Bobby Stewart. Bobby saw Mike's huge potential and put him in contact with trainer Cus d'Amato, who had trained 2 heavyweight champions already. After confrontations with the law and expulsion from high school, Tyson was taken out of reform school by boxing trainer Cus d'Amato. Cus saw the potential in this anxious kid and knew what he could become, if given the right influence and training. In professional boxing, with Cus's guidance Mike Tyson became the hottest young heavyweight and was soon on the road to the heavyweight crown.
Under the guidance of Cus d'Amato, Mike racked an impressive armature record. Cus decided in 1985 it was time for Tyson to turn professional. On the 6th in Albany, New York, Mike made his professional debut on March and won impressively by way of knock out in just 107 seconds, defeating Hector Mercedes with power and ease. In 1985, he had a further fifteen fights winning them all by knock-out, and almost all in the first round. In 1986, He fought twelve times cutting a dangerous path through improving ranks of journeyman fighters and already attracting attention and courting media controversy.
At age 20 years, 144 days he became the youngest heavyweight champion in heavyweight history, when he knocked out the then WBC Champion, Trevor Berbick in the second round of their match on November 22, 1986, breaking Floyd Patterson's mark. He then moved to conquer the WBA and the IBF versions of the heavyweight championship from James "Bonecrusher" Smith and Tony Tucker, respectively. This made Mike Tyson the first undoubted champion since Leon Spinks. Tyson reigned supreme as the undoubted champ, easily defeating all challengers. In late 1988, Mike Tyson and his trainer Kevin Rooney separated ways over a dispute with Mike's then wife, actress Robin Givens.
In February 1989, Tyson's next fight against Frank Bruno was his first without Rooney and the first in which Mike Tyson was noticeably wobbled in a fight. Tyson soon lost his undoubted 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. Mike determined to summon up his crown, returned to the ring with a vengeance, quickly dispensing of Henry Tillman, Alex Stewart, and Donovan "Razor" Ruddock. He was programmed to challenge Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight crown when he was accused on rape charges in Indiana. A jury soon founded him guilty and he was sentenced to six years in an Indiana state prison.
Mike Tyson was released in March 1995 from an Indiana state prison. The world was lively with the news and thoughts on the future of this former world champion. With a little wastage of time, Mike was back in the gym one month later and decided to get back the crown that had eluded him since 1990. His first fight was against a little Irish club fighter Peter McNeeley. Tyson took little time disposing of his overmatched opponent, knocking him to the canvas fifteen seconds into the match. Mike then went on to beat feather-fisted Buster Mathis Jr., and then challenged Frank Bruno's WBC heavyweight crown. Tyson defeated the Englishman into submission on March 16, 1996, regaining the heavyweight crown. Bruce Seldon was next opponent on his list and Mike took little time in disposing of the glass-jawed WBA champ.
In Louisville on 31 July 2004, Tyson challenged the Englishman Danny Williams in another 'come-back' fight match. Tyson conquered the opening two rounds. The third round was more interesting even, with Williams getting in some clean blows and also a few illegal ones for which he was punished. In the fourth round Tyson was astonishingly knocked out, Williams put in over twenty unbeaten punches and left the dazed Tyson slumped against the ropes. This was his fifth career defeat.
In 1989, Mike was rewarded by the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award. Tyson's amazing record includes 50 wins, 5 losses and 2 no contests, with 44 knockout wins. This shows his strength, skill and passion he had for the game.
Mike grew up in a tough environment. He spoke with soft voice and lisp and although a difficult child to control was an angel in comparison with many of his peers on the streets of Brownsville. Mike was pulled out by some of the other kids who would call him "fairy boy" due to the way he spoke; little did they know that he would become one of the greatest boxers of all time. Mike used to collect pigeons- something he still does today - he has his own flock of 2000 which he has reared. When he was about 11-12 years old, an older and much bigger boy than his age pulled the head of one of his beloved pigeons. Mike, who had never really gotten violent until then exploded with rage and beat the boy to a pulp. He astonished himself with his strength at beating up an older, bigger kid.
After this, Mike's childhood began to revolve around a life of crime and was sent to a correction unit where discipline was to be enforced upon him, creating an awkward rebel of a young man. Mike struck a deal with the schools sports coach, Bobby Stewart. Bobby saw Mike's huge potential and put him in contact with trainer Cus d'Amato, who had trained 2 heavyweight champions already. After confrontations with the law and expulsion from high school, Tyson was taken out of reform school by boxing trainer Cus d'Amato. Cus saw the potential in this anxious kid and knew what he could become, if given the right influence and training. In professional boxing, with Cus's guidance Mike Tyson became the hottest young heavyweight and was soon on the road to the heavyweight crown.
Under the guidance of Cus d'Amato, Mike racked an impressive armature record. Cus decided in 1985 it was time for Tyson to turn professional. On the 6th in Albany, New York, Mike made his professional debut on March and won impressively by way of knock out in just 107 seconds, defeating Hector Mercedes with power and ease. In 1985, he had a further fifteen fights winning them all by knock-out, and almost all in the first round. In 1986, He fought twelve times cutting a dangerous path through improving ranks of journeyman fighters and already attracting attention and courting media controversy.
At age 20 years, 144 days he became the youngest heavyweight champion in heavyweight history, when he knocked out the then WBC Champion, Trevor Berbick in the second round of their match on November 22, 1986, breaking Floyd Patterson's mark. He then moved to conquer the WBA and the IBF versions of the heavyweight championship from James "Bonecrusher" Smith and Tony Tucker, respectively. This made Mike Tyson the first undoubted champion since Leon Spinks. Tyson reigned supreme as the undoubted champ, easily defeating all challengers. In late 1988, Mike Tyson and his trainer Kevin Rooney separated ways over a dispute with Mike's then wife, actress Robin Givens.
In February 1989, Tyson's next fight against Frank Bruno was his first without Rooney and the first in which Mike Tyson was noticeably wobbled in a fight. Tyson soon lost his undoubted 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. Mike determined to summon up his crown, returned to the ring with a vengeance, quickly dispensing of Henry Tillman, Alex Stewart, and Donovan "Razor" Ruddock. He was programmed to challenge Evander Holyfield for the heavyweight crown when he was accused on rape charges in Indiana. A jury soon founded him guilty and he was sentenced to six years in an Indiana state prison.
Mike Tyson was released in March 1995 from an Indiana state prison. The world was lively with the news and thoughts on the future of this former world champion. With a little wastage of time, Mike was back in the gym one month later and decided to get back the crown that had eluded him since 1990. His first fight was against a little Irish club fighter Peter McNeeley. Tyson took little time disposing of his overmatched opponent, knocking him to the canvas fifteen seconds into the match. Mike then went on to beat feather-fisted Buster Mathis Jr., and then challenged Frank Bruno's WBC heavyweight crown. Tyson defeated the Englishman into submission on March 16, 1996, regaining the heavyweight crown. Bruce Seldon was next opponent on his list and Mike took little time in disposing of the glass-jawed WBA champ.
In Louisville on 31 July 2004, Tyson challenged the Englishman Danny Williams in another 'come-back' fight match. Tyson conquered the opening two rounds. The third round was more interesting even, with Williams getting in some clean blows and also a few illegal ones for which he was punished. In the fourth round Tyson was astonishingly knocked out, Williams put in over twenty unbeaten punches and left the dazed Tyson slumped against the ropes. This was his fifth career defeat.
In 1989, Mike was rewarded by the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award. Tyson's amazing record includes 50 wins, 5 losses and 2 no contests, with 44 knockout wins. This shows his strength, skill and passion he had for the game.
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