Famous Boxers Bios

Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard Tyson was born on June 30 in 1966 in Brooklyn New York. He is a former American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion and he is considered by many to be one of the greatest and most feared heavyweight boxers of all time. In his prime, he routinely defeated prominent opponents in devastating fashion and was one of the most feared boxers in the sport, known by such nicknames as "Iron" Mike Tyson, Kid Dynamite, and the Baddest Man on the Planet.

His once immensely promising boxing career was undermined by serious personal problems, lack of preparation, and periods of imprisonment. Upon release of his first prison sentence, he made a heavily anticipated comeback, but failed to reclaim his previous dominance. On June 11, 2005 Tyson suffered a defeat to journeyman Kevin McBride.

Tyson has a respect and knowledge of his sport's history, and has been called the boxing most vicious practitioner. He was discovered by Bobby Stewart, who saw his raw boxing ability and awesome potential for the ring. He was an outstanding physical specimen, weighting 200lbs at the age of 13.

D'Amato like Stewart saw Tyson's potential, took him off Stewart's hands and subsequently trained him, later becoming his official legal guardian and unofficial father figure. He died in 1985 shortly into Tyson's pro career.

Mike Tyson made his pro debut on March 6, 1985 in Albany, New York, which he won by first round knockout. He fought frequently in his first two years as a pro, staying undefeated and winning almost all of his fights by knockout, usually in the first round. His quality of opposition gradually increased to journeyman fighters and borderline contenders, and his impressive win streak attracted much media attention, as he was being billed as the next great heavyweight champion.

Expectations for the young champion were sky high, and he embarked on an ambitious campaign to fight all the top heavyweights in the world. In 1987, Tyson defended his title against James 'Bonecrusher' Smith on March 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He won on a unanimous point’s decision and added Smith's WBA title to his existing belt. 'Tyson mania' in the media was becoming rampant. He beat Pinklon Thomas in May with a knockout in the sixth round.

On June 27, Tyson brutally knocked out former IBF heavyweight champion Michael Spinks in a mere 92 seconds into the first round. This fight is often regarded as the climax of Tyson's career because at the time Spinks was believed to be the most legitimate contender who never lost a fight before Tyson.

On June 11, 2005, Tyson stunned the boxing world by quitting before the start of the seventh round in a close bout against journeyman Kevin McBride. After losing the third of his last four fights, Tyson said he would quit boxing.
Tyson has also endorsed online gaming site Casino Fortune and previously lent his name to a popular Nintendo game, Mike Tyson's Punch Out! In June 2004, sportswriter Max Kellerman suggested that Tyson should move out of boxing and into product endorsement, stating that this has worked well for former boxer George Foreman. In the past Tyson had shunned endorsements, accusing other athletes of putting on a false front to obtain them.

On the front page of the June 3, 2005 USA Today, Tyson was quoted saying: "My whole life has been a waste - I've been a failure." Tyson has grossed an estimated $400 million in his career, but filed for bankruptcy a couple of years ago.