Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966, Brooklyn, New York, USA) is a former American professional boxer and World Heavyweight Champion, and is considered by many to be one of the greatest 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 and The Baddest Man on the Planet.

Early years

Born and raised in the notorious Brownsville section of Brooklyn, Tyson has a respect and knowledge of his sport's history, and has been called boxing's most vicious practitioner. As a youth, Tyson was passed in and out of juvenile detention centers, and was expelled from high school. He was later removed from reform school by Cus D'Amato, a well-known boxing trainer whose proteges included former champions Floyd Patterson and Jose Torres. D'Amato saw Tyson's potential and subsequently trained him, later becoming his official legal guardian and unofficial father figure. He died in 1985 shortly into Tyson's pro career. Some speculate that D'Amato's death was the genesis for many of the troubles Tyson was to experience as his life and career progressed. Teddy Atlas is another trainer who worked with Tyson in the earlier stages of his career when he was with D'Amato. Atlas has called the legend of "Cus and the kid" largely false. He pointed out that although Cus basically cared about the young fighter, after a point it only had to do with him being champion.

Related Topics:
Brownsville - Cus D'Amato - Floyd Patterson - Jose Torres - Legal guardian - Teddy Atlas

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