Mike Tyson: Triumph and Tragedy
Few athletic figures in recent decades have captured the public's attention, for better or for worse, than Mike Tyson. At his best, Mike Tyson was one of the most feared boxers of all time. He won many a fight before stepping into a ring from the complete and utter fear that gripped his opponents at the thought of meeting this compact, muscle bound, wrecking ball of a man. At his worst, he has been in and out of jail, battling drug addiction and generally causing an unwanted havoc both in and out of the ring.
Mike Tyson's Rise to Stardom and the Heavyweight Championship
Mike Tyson as a youth was a notorious troublemaker, being arrested literally dozens of times through his early adolescence. Discovering boxing and his innate talent for it though, changed his life around gave him a focus and a drive to achieve. These traits were also imparted unto him by legendary trainer Cus D'Amato. D'Amato was more than a boxing trainer for Tyson, he was a life coach, and his guidance and role model status meant everything to Tyson. Later, it would be the death of D'Amato, the only man left trying to reign in the "Baddest Man on the Planet", that would help contribute to his rapid and tragic fall from grace.
Tyson made a huge splash in the sport, becoming known almost overnight as a champion in waiting. In his first 19 bouts, he won by knockout, often before the first round was finished! Even after winning the title, Tyson continued to defend the title and won other belts soon after. It seemed that he was at least for the time being, unbeatable.
The Beginning of the End
Tyson's loss in the tenth round of a hard fought match against James Buster Douglas which marked the beginning of the end for the boxing icon. Tyson lost his title and the air of invulnerability which had theretofore surrounded him. Not long after, Tyson would be in prison after committing rape.
Tyson's return to boxing was something which many, not only boxing fans had been eagerly awaiting. He quickly won a title belt on his return to the sport; but a match which saw Tyson against Evander Holyfield was the event which really marked his downfall as a serious contender in the field of boxing. Holyfield took Tyson down in the 11th round. There was a rematch of the bout, in which as everyone knows, Tyson bit a chunk out of Holyfield's ear, leading to his disqualification. There have been minor comebacks, major defeats such as that seen in his demolition by Lennox Lewis and he has come to be seen by many fans as a sad case.
Mike Tyson Today
Currently, Mike Tyson is better known as a marginal celebrity who is frequently in rehab or being arrested. While comebacks are discussed from time to time, making many eager to see Tyson fight - or implode again, it is hard to say if a comeback is in the works. Tyson has stated that he is trying to mend his ways and expresses remorse for his misdeeds; but it is too early to say what the future may hold for this boxing legend. - 16887
Few athletic figures in recent decades have captured the public's attention, for better or for worse, than Mike Tyson. At his best, Mike Tyson was one of the most feared boxers of all time. He won many a fight before stepping into a ring from the complete and utter fear that gripped his opponents at the thought of meeting this compact, muscle bound, wrecking ball of a man. At his worst, he has been in and out of jail, battling drug addiction and generally causing an unwanted havoc both in and out of the ring.
Mike Tyson's Rise to Stardom and the Heavyweight Championship
Mike Tyson as a youth was a notorious troublemaker, being arrested literally dozens of times through his early adolescence. Discovering boxing and his innate talent for it though, changed his life around gave him a focus and a drive to achieve. These traits were also imparted unto him by legendary trainer Cus D'Amato. D'Amato was more than a boxing trainer for Tyson, he was a life coach, and his guidance and role model status meant everything to Tyson. Later, it would be the death of D'Amato, the only man left trying to reign in the "Baddest Man on the Planet", that would help contribute to his rapid and tragic fall from grace.
Tyson made a huge splash in the sport, becoming known almost overnight as a champion in waiting. In his first 19 bouts, he won by knockout, often before the first round was finished! Even after winning the title, Tyson continued to defend the title and won other belts soon after. It seemed that he was at least for the time being, unbeatable.
The Beginning of the End
Tyson's loss in the tenth round of a hard fought match against James Buster Douglas which marked the beginning of the end for the boxing icon. Tyson lost his title and the air of invulnerability which had theretofore surrounded him. Not long after, Tyson would be in prison after committing rape.
Tyson's return to boxing was something which many, not only boxing fans had been eagerly awaiting. He quickly won a title belt on his return to the sport; but a match which saw Tyson against Evander Holyfield was the event which really marked his downfall as a serious contender in the field of boxing. Holyfield took Tyson down in the 11th round. There was a rematch of the bout, in which as everyone knows, Tyson bit a chunk out of Holyfield's ear, leading to his disqualification. There have been minor comebacks, major defeats such as that seen in his demolition by Lennox Lewis and he has come to be seen by many fans as a sad case.
Mike Tyson Today
Currently, Mike Tyson is better known as a marginal celebrity who is frequently in rehab or being arrested. While comebacks are discussed from time to time, making many eager to see Tyson fight - or implode again, it is hard to say if a comeback is in the works. Tyson has stated that he is trying to mend his ways and expresses remorse for his misdeeds; but it is too early to say what the future may hold for this boxing legend. - 16887
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