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: 56 WINS: 48 LOSSES: 6 DRAWS: 0 NC: 2 KOs: 44
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.
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 Spofford Juvenile Detention Center in the
Bronx. After additional behavioral problems, Tyson was transferred to the Tryon School for Boys in upstate New
York.
Bronx. After additional behavioral problems, Tyson was transferred to the Tryon School for Boys in upstate New
York.
1979 -- Shortly thereafter, Tyson was introduced to Bobby Stewart, Tryon's boxing instructor. Tyson saw boxing as
his first opportunity at being accepted outside criminal activity, and his behavior began to change in order to earn
Stewart's respect and boxing instructions. Stewart's guidance paved a direct path to the late, beloved trainer of
champions, Constantine "Cus" D'Amato. Cus trained and guided Floyd Patterson to the heavyweight title.
his first opportunity at being accepted outside criminal activity, and his behavior began to change in order to earn
Stewart's respect and boxing instructions. Stewart's guidance paved a direct path to the late, beloved trainer of
champions, Constantine "Cus" D'Amato. Cus trained and guided Floyd Patterson to the heavyweight title.
1982 -- Expelled from Catskill High School for a series of transgressions.
1984 -- Tyson's mother dies and D'Amato becomes Tyson's legal guardian.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
impressive 38 second round KO.
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.
had not even been a pro for two years yet.
1982 -- Colorado Springs. Tyson competes in the Junior Olympic semi-finals and scores the fastest KO. He scored a
8 second KO over Don Cozad.
8 second KO over Don Cozad.
1981 -- Tyson competes and wins the 1991 Junior Olympic Heavyweight championship against Joe Cortez.
While Tyson was at Tryon, Muhammad Ali visited the center, and Tyson became interested in the attention given to
Ali.
Ali.
1984 -- Tyson wins the National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion, and the Super Heavyweight New York
Empire State Final Games. Tyson compiled an impressive 24-3 record as an amateur.
Empire State Final Games. Tyson compiled an impressive 24-3 record as an amateur.
