Mar. 7, 1987 - Mike Tyson defeats James Bonecrusher Smith to unify the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles. Already the youngest-ever heavyweight champion after winning the title at just 19 years old the year before, Tyson became the youngest undisputed heavyweight champion in boxing history. Mike Tyson was born on June 30, 1986, in Brooklyn, New York. He had a troubled childhood in Brooklyn’s Brownsville neighborhood, an area known for its poverty and high crime. As a child he often skipped school, spending his time on Brownsville’s streets engaging in petty crimes. Tyson responded violently to his peers’ teasing about his high, lisping voice, which led to several stints in juvenile detention centers. After being expelled from junior high school, Tyson was sent to a reform school near Catskill, New York. It was there that he was discovered by legendary trainer Cus D’Amato, who had coached Floyd Patterson, a two-time heavyweight champion. D’Amato became a father figure to Iron Mike, whose own father left his family when Mike was just two years old. D’Amato was a stabilizing force in Tyson’s life: He took the young fighter into his home and dedicated himself to Tyson’s training. D’Amato helped Tyson to focus his aggression and develop the discipline to become a champion.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 15:32:24 +0000
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