Mike Tyson: The Baddest Man on the Planet!
Mike Tyson, born Michael Gerard Tyson on June 30, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. Nicknamed "Iron Mike" and "Kid Dynamite" in his early career, Tyson later became known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet".
Mike Tyson Biography
Early Life and Amateur Career
Tyson had a troubled childhood, growing up in a high-crime neighborhood. He was bullied as a youth and eventually turned to petty crime before being sent to a juvenile detention center. It was there that he met Bobby Stewart, a juvenile detention center counselor who recognized Tyson's boxing potential and arranged for him to train with Cus D'Amato, a renowned boxing trainer.
As an amateur, Tyson compiled a record of 24 wins and 3 losses. He won a gold medal at the 1981 Junior Olympic Games and another at the 1982 Junior Olympic Games.
Professional Career
Tyson turned professional in 1985 at the age of 18. He quickly made a name for himself, winning his first 19 fights by knockout, 12 in the first round. In 1986, at the age of 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days, Tyson became the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title by defeating Trevor Berbick.
Over the next few years, Tyson unified the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles, becoming the first and only heavyweight to hold all three belts simultaneously. He also became the lineal champion in 1988 by knocking out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds.
Tyson's reign as champion came to an end in 1990 when he was knocked out by underdog Buster Douglas in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. He would go on to fight professionally until 2005, finishing with a record of 50 wins (44 by knockout) and 6 losses.
Acting and Media Career
After retiring from boxing, Tyson pursued various acting and media projects. He has appeared in several films, including "The Hangover" and its sequel, as well as the animated series "Mike Tyson Mysteries". Tyson has also been involved in various television projects, including the reality series "Taking on Tyson" and the documentary "Tyson".
Comeback and Legacy
In 2020, at the age of 54, Tyson announced that he would be making a comeback to boxing for a series of exhibition matches. His first exhibition match was against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020, which ended in a draw.
Tyson's legacy as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time is undisputed. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011 and has been ranked among the top 10 heavyweights of all time by various publications. Tyson's explosive power, speed, and intimidating presence in the ring made him a dominant force in the heavyweight division during his prime.
Mike Tyson Factsheet 2024
