Mike Tyson
Michael Gerard “Mike” Tyson aka “Iron Mike” is a true NYC legend a retired American professional boxer, who is hailed as one of the best to ever do it in the ring. A former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world who held the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles at the tender age of 20 years, 4 months and 22 days which made him the youngest heavyweight champion in heavyweight history when he knocked out the then WBC Champion Trevor Berbick in the second round of their match up in 1986, breaking Floyd Patterson’s mark.
Born on June 30, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York Mike had a very hard up bringing. Living in the projects and a lack of a family unit Mike would find himself with many run-ins with the law and expulsion from every school he attended, eventually Tyson was taken out of reform school by boxing trainer Cus D’mato. Who saw the potential in this troubled kid and knew what he could become if given great with the right influence and training. With Cus’s guidance, Mike Tyson became the hottest young heavyweight in professional boxing and was soon on the road to the heavyweight crown.
Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout, with 12 of them occurring in the first round. He won the WBC title in 1986 after defeating Trevor Berbick by a TKO in the second round. In 1987, Tyson added the WBA and IBF titles after defeating James Smith and Tony Tucker. He was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, and the only heavyweight to individually unify them. Tyson reigned supreme as the undisputed champ, easily defeating all challengers who opposed him in the ring.
Throughout his career, Tyson became well known for his ferocious and intimidating boxing style as well as his controversial behavior both inside and outside the ring. A much feared individual in the ring and a all round character outside of the ring.
Check out this picture below taken of Mike Tyson by PONY’s very own Ricky Powell dating all the way back to 1986.
