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.
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