The Early Years, Juv. Delinquency, Cus Damato, Junior Olympics, Olympic Trials, Pro debut

Born: June 30, 1966, Brooklyn, NY

Height: 5'-11 1/2" Weight: 223

FIGHTS:  53  WINS: 48   LOSSES: 4   DRAWS:  0   NC:  2   KOs:  42

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on June 30, 1966, Michael Gerard Tyson has experienced more in his 34 years than most people experience in a lifetime. From the streets of Brooklyn to the heavyweight championship of the world to international fame, Tyson has experienced a number of peaks and valleys during his life.

Tyson was not always 'The Baddest Man on the Planet'. The future world heavyweight champion was once 'Little Fairy Boy'. The 10-year-old Tyson was no ferocious gang fighter. He was small for his age; he spoke quietly and with a lisp, and he was over-protected from his brutal environment by his mother Lorna and sister Denise. The Tysons survived on welfare after Lorna's lover Jimmy Kirkpatrick walked away. As times grew harder they were forced out of their tenement in tough Bedford-Stuyvesant and into Brownsville, Brooklyn - the hardest district of one of the hardest suburbs of one of the hardest cities in America. He found his single means of self-expression in the makeshift pigeon coups he kept on the roofs of abandoned tenements and rubble-strewn high-rise blocks. Tyson often slept out with his birds, marvelling as they whirled above his head enjoying a freedom he would never experience for himself. One day - what passed for an ordinary day in Brownsville but has subsequently gone down in legend as the day in which 'Iron' Mike was truly born - 10-year-old Tyson was with his pigeons. A 15-year-old boy took one of them and wrung its neck, because that was what gave desperate people like him daily kicks. Instead of standing by any more or falling under a barrage of punches as he usually did, Tyson experienced rage for the first time. He leapt on the much bigger boy, showering him with kicks and bites and gouges and punches - and he enjoyed the adrenaline buzz it gave him. He had found something he was good at. By the age of 12, the 'Little Fairy Boy' was a gang leader with a string of convictions.

1978 -- Arrested for purse snatching at age 12 in Brooklyn and sent to Tryon School for Boys.

1979 -- A boxing instructor at a New York State correction facility for boys brought Tyson to the attention of Cus D'Amato, who had guided Floyd Patterson to the heavyweight title.

1982 -- Expelled from Catskill High School for a series of transgressions.

1984 -- D'Amato becomes Tyson's legal guardian.

At an early age, Bobby Stewart, a local social worker and boxing fan, discovered Tyson's raw boxing ability. Stewart's guidance paved a direct path to the late, beloved trainer of champions, Constantine "Cus" D'Amato. Cus trained Champ Floyd Patterson.

Bringing Tyson to the Catskill Mountains in New York, D'Amato nurtured Tyson in and out of the ring. Eventually, D'Amato became Tyson's legal guardian and inspirational leader. During the early stages of Tyson's amateur and pro career, D'Amato was the driving force, teaching the youngster all the nuances about the sport which he loved and to which he devoted his life.

Teddy atlas, kevin rooney, Junior olymoics

Tyson compiled an impressive 24-3 record as an amateur.

July 6, 1984 -- The Day The Dream Died. Coming off a narrow points defeat to Henry Tillman in the Olympic Trials, Mike Tyson and his entire sponsoring team were stunned when Tillman managed a second victory over the seemingly invincible man-child. "That was when Mike really showed his strength of character. The Olympics would have been something really special. "-Cus D'Amato

Two controversial losses to Henry Tillman spoiled Tyson's chance to represent the United States in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Tillman went on to win the gold medal in the heavyweight division.

After the disappointment of not being able to represent his country in the 1984 Olympics, Tyson turned his sights on the professional ranks.

March 6, 1985 -- Tyson made his pro debut with a first-round knockout of Hector Mercedes.

Nov. 4, 1985 -- Tyson's legal guardian Cus D'Amato dies of pneumonia.

Feb. 16, 1986 -- Tyson makes his television network debut. Tyson remarks in a post fight interview about Jesse ferguson, "I was trying to push his nose bone up to his brains." Tyson would score a 6th round tko.

Feb. 1986 -- Tyson lands himself on the cover of The Ring magazine.

From that point on, Tyson's goal was to capture the heavyweight championship. Finishing his first year with a record of 15-0, all by knockout, Tyson's place at the top seemed closer with each victory. Tyson is pictured here on the cover of Sports Illustrated as "Kid Dynamite". .........................................................................................................................................................................

May 20, 1986 -- One of Tyson's up and coming fights was, against Mitch "Blood" Green" on Tuesday Night Fights at Madison Square Garden. Tyson won a 10 round decision over Green. Mitch Green would come back to haunt Tyson later in an early morning brawl. ..................................................................................

Jul 26, 1986 -- Tyson meets and defeats Marvis Frazier, son of Smokin Joe Frazier. Tyson would score an impressive 38 second round KO...,,,

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Aug 17, 1986 -- Tyson's last big fight before he earned a shot at the Championship belt was with Jose Ribalta. Tyson had not even been a pro for two years yet. ..............................................................................

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