Iron Mike Back In The Ring At 58!
Story by Mitchell Smith
Mike Tyson was born in 1966 in New York City. Growing up in poor neighborhoods, Tyson was forced into a life of crime as a young kid to survive the harsh street life he lived in. He had been arrested 38 times by age 13. Mike was moved to Johnstown, NY where he was put in the Tryon School For Boys. From there his life slowly began to change and Bobby Stewart a counselor at the school took Mike under his wing after Mike told him he wanted to be a boxer. Stewart introduced Mike to Cus D’Amato who trained Jose Torres and Floyd Patterson. Cus ended up being Tyson’s saving grace.
Mike was invited to move in with Cus and his family in the Catskills(or as I call them the other mountains in New York). Mike was a wild Bull and needed to learn a lot about fighting, sportsmanship, and overall respect for himself and others. He had grown up in hell and now all of a sudden he had a stable environment, it was a whole new life. Cus taught Mike fundamentals for boxing, he taught Mike to be focused and confident, and he taught Mike how to deliver a punch that would draw a crowd because he was exciting to watch. In 1981 Mike began his amateur boxing career. He won Gold in Junior Olympics in 81 and 82, but was defeated in 84 by Henry Tillman who would go on to win Gold in the 1984 Olympic Games in LA. In 1985 a Legend was born. Iron Mike Tyson would go on a ferocious tear through the professional boxing world. Often mentally defeating his opponents before they even entered the ring.
He fought fearless and with all that anger he carried from his childhood. Suddenly Mike was a king and had millions of dollars. Growing up poor Mike did not know how to handle money and would often blow it frivolously. Mike’s life would take many twists and turns over the next couple of decades including, rape charges, prison time, drug rehab, bankruptcy, and turning to Hollywood where he became an entertainer. Mike was in The Hangover and also voiced his own character in Mike Tyson Mysteries along side Norm Macdonald. Mike finally settled down and started to appreciate his family after his 4 year old daughter was tragically killed in a freak accident in their home. Mike began to focus on his kids and settled down with his 3rd wife in 2009. The Jake Paul fight was a long time coming and even though Mike is 58 he lost that ferocity to go out in kill his opponent, or maybe Father Time is catching up, or maybe Mike tossed the young kid a bone and helped his career along without killing him.
Throughout his life Mike has died and been reborn many times. I checked out his documentary Unfiltered on YouTube and it is amazing what he has done throughout his life. At age 58 Mike said after the fight he might fight again but it is a huge commitment to train and get back in the ring to go 8 rounds. I never did watch any of Mikes fights growing up, but if you look back and watch them now you can see how he was the most feared man in the boxing ring. Have a great week everyone.
