Mike Tyson began his boxing journey because of an opportunity to get away from all the filth and scum of his upbringing. He moved from jail and to a nice house, which belonged to the legendary boxing coach, Cus D’Amato. The rest is history!
“I’m the best ever. I’m the most brutal and vicious, and most ruthless champion there’s ever been.” – Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson, the man whose name became synonymous with the ferocity of boxing, didn’t rise to such heights by coincidence. His journey into the world of boxing is a story of adversity and destiny. A story where childhood trouble, a time behind bars, and the guiding hand of a visionary trainer created a legendary boxer.
The Story Of How Mike Tyson Began Boxing
Let’s start at the beginning. All the way back to his childhood in Brownsville.
Childhood: From Chaos to Clarity
Mike Tyson’s origin story began in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. Born on June 30, 1966, in one of the toughest neighborhoods in the United States, Tyson faced a tumultuous childhood. Raised in the notorious Brownsville, a neighborhood filled with crime, poverty, and scum, Tyson had more than his share of challenges.
The absence of his father and the early demise of his mother meant that he was left to fend for himself in a world that often showed no mercy.
Mike was bullied as a child, which meant he stayed away from a lot of people and instead spent time with his pidgeons. One day, one of the bigger boys from the neighbourhood took one of Mike’s pidgeons. He took it and ripped of the head. This made Mike very angry, which resulted in a fight, which for the first time, showed Mike how good he was at fighting.
Mike did some stupid stuff as a child, which made him go to juvenile prison. The local police officer and former boxer, Bobby Stewart, recognized Tyson’s potential and introduced him to Cus D’Amato, a legendary boxing trainer who would change the course of Tyson’s life.
Prison: A Turning Point
At the tender age of 12, Tyson found himself in juvenile detention due to his delinquent behavior. It was in this unlikely setting that his path intersected with Cus D’Amato. D’Amato saw Tyson’s raw talent and began mentoring the troubled youth. It was under D’Amato’s mentoring that Tyson practiced his boxing skills and channeled his aggression into something productive.
During his time in juvenile detention, Tyson’s life took a momentous turn. He had discovered his purpose: boxing.
Under D’Amato’s guidance, Tyson developed a fierce fighting style and an unbreakable resolve. Upon his release, he continued to train with D’Amato, moving towards a future that would make him one of the most ferocious boxers in history.
Cus D’Amato: The Mentor and Father Figure
Cus D’Amato was not just a boxing trainer to Mike Tyson; he was a father figure and a mentor. Under D’Amato’s wing, Tyson developed both his boxing skills and his self-esteem. D’Amato nurtured Tyson’s talents, instilled discipline, and fueled his ambition. He also taught him about the rich history of the sport and its great champions, cultivating Tyson’s deep respect and understanding of boxing.
D’Amato’s influence extended beyond the ring. He taught Tyson the importance of self-belief and mental fortitude, values that would become synonymous with Tyson’s fighting spirit. He also ingrained in Tyson the philosophy that winning in the ring meant mastering oneself outside it.
The culmination of these three elements – Tyson’s childhood, a transformative time in prison, and the mentorship of Cus D’Amato – set the stage for Mike Tyson’s ascent as one of the most iconic figures in the history of boxing. His passion and dedication to the sport would make him a world heavyweight champion and a boxing legend.
Videos of Young mike tyson and his coach
Amazing books about Mike Tyson and Cus D’Amato
Mike Tyson Biography: Iron Ambition – My Life with Cus D’Amato
Cus D’Amato’s principles and philosophies: The Cus D’Amato Mind – Learn The Simple Secrets That Took Boxers Like Mike Tyson To Greatness
Summary – The Reason Mike Tyson Began Boxing
Mike Tyson’s entry into the world of boxing was driven by a challenging childhood in Brooklyn, a turning point in juvenile detention, and the profound mentorship of the legendary Cus D’Amato.