Mike Tyson: Baddest Man on the Planet

There are fighters that you truly know are "Once In A Lifetime". Along with fighters like Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis, Mike Tyson fits that title very well. Iron Mike was a wrecking ball of destruction in the Boxing Ring, constantly coming to his opponents at full speed and force. From the time that he broke into the Sport at 18 (3/6/1985), Tyson was an attraction. Tyson's Aggression came from his background growing up in the streets of Brownsville, Brooklyn New York. Tyson lived near Bedford Stuyvesant, the same area as Rap Icon Biggie Smalls. Mike knew that Boxing was his way out of the streets the same way that Biggie knew Rap was his way out of the streets. Iron Mike was Box Office because fans wanted to see how fast Tyson would destroy his opponents. Tyson won 26 of his first 28 fights by KO or TKO. His Punching Power was like something never seen before, and his head movements were a perfect compliment. While Muhammad Ali personified Showmanship, Mike Tyson personified Ruthless Aggression. In his prime, Mike was both the Irresistible Force and the Immovable Object wrapped together in one. Mike took the world by storm when he became the Youngest World Heavyweight Champion in History at the of 20 when he defeated Trevor Berbick on November 22, 1986. Tyson was the Master of the Peekaboo style of Boxing, thanks to his trainer Cus D'Amato. It helped him slip under and weave his opponent's punches while timing his own. Tyson's greatest weapons were his right hook and uppercut. During his rise in popularity, Tyson even had his own game, the legendary "Mike Tyson Punch Out" featuring Lil' Mac in 1987. Tyson would leave a trail of bodies in his wake, including Michael Spinks and Larry Holmes. From 86-89, Tyson was an Unstoppable World Beater as he ruled the World of Boxing as he ruled with an Iron Fist. His Knockouts are the stuff of Boxing Legend.

However, when talking about the Mike Tyson Mystique, you must also include the Controversy and trouble tied to his legacy. Mike has had his fair of hardships along with his fame. Since the death of Cus D'Amato, Tyson would slowly unravel as his fame grew. When Don King took over, Mike would be taken advantage of financially because of Don's shark like nature as a Promoter. We also know about the drama that he had with Robin Givens. Mike Tyson's Armor would soon suffer some other some other serious hits. In 1990, Tyson was defeated by Journeyman Fighter James "Buster" Douglas in what many would consider being the greatest upset in Boxing History. Buster became the new Heavyweight Champion. It took everyone by surprise as the Unbeatable became Beatable, and it remains one of the dents in Tyson's Illustrious Career. Douglas would later lose the Title to Tyson's Greatest Adversary, Evander Holyfield. The trouble wouldn't end there. Tyson was arrested for the rape of Desiree Washington, Miss Black Rhode Island in July 1991. Tyson would be found guilty and was sentenced to six years in prison on March 26, 1992. However, Mike served half that time as he was released in March 1995. During that time, Tyson converted to Islam. He also lost some serious years of his prime. Meanwhile, Mr. Holyfield was the dominant force in the Heavyweight Division. By 1996, it was time for these long time rivals to finally meet in the ring after YEARS of waiting. Tyson was making his comeback, even though his best years were clearly behind him. Meanwhile, Holyfield just came off three classic fights with Riddick Bowe which took a lot out of him. By this point, he was moving out of his best years as well. The fight itself was a major attraction. Holyfield took Tyson to the distance and won. The rematch would live on in Boxing Infamy. During the fight, Tyson was getting frustrated with not only losing, but with the headbutts from Evander. As they were tangled, Mike bit Holyfield's ear. The entire world saw that and couldn't believe it. One can only imagine if that happened in the Social Media Era. The Memes and GIFs would be endless, and Twitter would shut down. Tyson's next fights were clearly not very spectacular as we truly saw him as a shell of who he once was. Nevertheless, Mike Tyson is a figure that has left an enormous mark in the History of Boxing. His influence has been major. Street Fighter's Balrog was based on Mike Tyson. Mike was one of my favorite Boxers to use in Fight Night Round 4. In 58 Fights, Mike Tyson has won 50 and lost only 6 with two no contests. He has also delivered 44 Knockouts. Tyson has 2 WBC Heavyweight Titles and 2 WBA Heavyweight Titles along with being named the Fighter of the Year twice by The Ring Magazine ('86, '88) among many other accolades. He has also been named as one of the 100 Greatest Boxers by the Ring Magazine and one of ESPN's 50 Greatest Boxers. In 2011, Tyson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame. Tyson was even inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2012 for his involvement at WrestleMania XIV. Mike Tyson is a One of a Kind and a Boxing Icon.

Notorious BIG: King of Brooklyn

"It was all a Dream, I used to read Word Up Magazines, Salt & Pepa and Heavy D all in the Limousines. Hangin' pictures on my wall, every Saturday Rap attack Mr. Magic Marly Marl". With that line, a Legend was created.

I would like to take the time to share my thoughts on a Musician that was a Giant and still is a Giant in my view even 20 years after his death. The Notorious BIG was larger than life and is still a revered figure in the history of rap. Biggie was a genius with his wordplay and freestyles. He had a way of captivating the listener that very few could. When I saw "Life of Biggie" on A&E, it gave me even more of a deeper glimpse into how brilliant his IQ was as a songwriter and lyricist. During the Documentary, Jay-Z and Nas talked about the song "Who Shot Ya" and how complex his vocabulary was. Nas even said that he thought about quitting after hearing that record. That is a testament to what kind of presence Biggie had. Biggie was a master when it came to samples and remixes. My favorite song is "One More Chance" (Remix). It was incredible to see how he got his hands on DeBarge's "Stay With Me" and put his own swagger on it. He showed what kind of Smooth Operator he could be and that song exemplified that aspect. He even used a sample of Mary J. Blige's "Don't Go" on that song as well. That also shows how creative he was to blend the music of different eras and build a masterpiece of his own. You could say the same for "Juicy" and "Big Poppa". His debut "Ready to Die" was a Mega Album. It was like a Spirit Bomb from Goku. Whatever Biggie touched, he turned to gold. The same way that Biggie could be the Smooth Brooklyn Kingpin, he could also show how much of a Savage he was coming from the Streets with a song like "Gimme the Loot" and "Unbelievable". In order to succeed, you need versatility, and Biggie had it to a Science. If you gave LL Cool J a song like "One More Chance", people wouldn't receive it as well, because they would just look at that as the usual LL material. However, it became a breakout song for Biggie. I have said it many times, and LL himself would even admit it. I mention that song, because of a lyric that sticks out the most for me "Heartthrob never, black and ugly as ever, however, I stay Coogi down to the socks, rings and watch filled with rocks". That was his way of saying, "I don't look like everybody's sex symbol, but I have style and you will love me for it".

On the other hand, the most tragic part of the Biggie story is how miscommunication not only dissolved his relationship with Tupac, but it also cost them their lives. Charlamagne even Tweeted this during the Documentary. After Tupac was shot at the studio and robbed, Biggie even tried to reach out to Tupac to get things clarified. However, Pac didn't want to hear it, because he felt betrayed. Then, you add the elements of Suge Knight and the Media and that turns this into a fireball that is out of control. This was the most painful part of the Documentary. Ms. Voletta Wallace even said that she felt uncomfortable with her son going to California. Never question a Mother's Intuition. We all know how that story ended. Add that along with Biggie's separation from Faith Evans over infidelity (Tupac, Lil Kim). It was just unfortunate the way things turned out. Miscommunication tore him and Tupac apart, and lack of trust tore him and Faith apart. All Biggie wanted to do was bring reconciliation and he became another casualty in this war perpetuated by the Media. This saga was "Game of Thrones" LONG before Jon Snow, House of Stark, the Whitewalkers, etc.

In the aftermath of this, we lose the two biggest cultural figures the Rap Industry has ever seen. Biggie and Tupac made more of an impact within 25 years of life than what many people could ever make in a lifetime. Biggie has created more of a legacy within a three-year career than what others have done in at least 25 or 30 years. In the wake of his death, "Life After Death" went Diamond. I believe it even could've gone Diamond if Biggie had survived because of the Album's Quality Overall.

Biggie Smalls was a figure that transcended culture. Mere words are not enough to describe his presence in not just Rap culture, but Pop Culture collectively. You could tell what kind of void he has left whenever Diddy, Faith Evans, Lil Cease, Lil Kim, etc talk about him. That is a pain that can never go away no matter how much time passes, because of how great of an impact he had the potential to make. I am also of the mentality that if Biggie survived, Jay-Z would have to wait longer to be where he is now. Biggie's style imprint is still felt to this day. He helped to popularize Coogi sweaters. Conor McGregor even calls himself "The Notorious MMA". The Iconic Image of him wearing his Crown is one of the Greatest Photos in Rap History. It is certainly my favorite, as it has been duplicated in different variations. I have at least three shirts with that image. I have one with Biggie himself wearing the Crown. I also have other shirts with Black Panther and Thanos wearing that same Crown. With the Thanos shirt, his Crown has the Infinity Stones. My Marvel Comics fans will understand. Anyway, that speaks volumes to how symbolic Biggie was and what he meant to many people. That Crown picture also represents how he was like Royalty in New York. It represents how he watched over his Kingdom and looked to conquer even more. Biggie is to New York what Magic Johnson is to Los Angeles, MJ to Chicago, even Jerry Rice in San Francisco. No other rapper carried an entire City on his back the way that Biggie carried NY representing Brooklyn. Bad Boy was the House that Biggie built. The Brooklyn Nets even honored Biggie as they retired a Special Number in Memory of him. There was even a Basketball Court in New York named after him. As brilliant as Jay Z has been, Biggie will always be the symbol of Brooklyn. "Live from Bedford Stuyvesant, the livest one, representing BK to the fullest". I am honored just to share how I feel about my personal favorite Rapper. Notorious BIG was a trendsetter, trailblazer, lyrical machine and a World Beater in Rap. Long Live King Biggie. If you don't know, now you know. Biggie Smalls is the Illest.