“When I fight someone, I want to break his will. I want to take his manhood. I want to rip out his heart and show it to him.” – Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson, a heavy weight boxing champion who is known for being the youngest heavyweight champion in the history at his age of 20 in 1986. He has also served three years in jail and also earned ill fame for biting his competitor, Evander Holyfield’s ear during a match in 1997. He was also seen in various films.

Born on 30th June, 1966 as Michael Gerard Tyson in Brooklyn, New York, Michael has been a street fighter from early age of 11. By 13, he has been arrested for his petty criminal activities more than 30 times.

Landed in Tryon School for boys, Mike met Bob Steward at the school who had been amateur boxing champion. Tyson wanted to learn boxing from him, and so did Steward. In 1980, Steward introduced Mike to legendary boxing manager Constantine “Cus” D’Amato.  D’Amato recognized Mike’s abilities to become a heavy weight contender and he asked Mike to stay with him and Mike agreed. D’Amato worked hard on Mike, letting him study during the day and teaching him in ring during the evening. He took Mike to various matches and even to non sanctioned fights.

In 1982, Mike went through a personal loss when he lost his mother due to cancer. “I never saw my mother happy with me and proud of me for doing something. She only knew of me as being a wild kid running the streets, coming home with new clothes that she knew I didn’t pay for. I never got a chance to talk to her or know about her. Professionally, it has no effect, but it’s crushing emotionally and personally,” Mike says. During the same time, Mike was expelled from school for his erratic behavior.

IRON MIKE

In 1985, Mike made his professional debut in Albany, New York against Hector Mercedes. He knocked out Mercedes in 1st round. His strength, quick fists and defensive abilities earned him the name “iron mike”.

Another tragedy came up in Mike’s life in the same year of his success when his trainer whom he considered as a surrogate father, D’Amato died due to pneumonia. Mike was in shock after D’Amato’s death. But in less than 2 weeks, Mike continued his fight for his destiny under the learning of Kevin Rooney.

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