This article covers the Mike Tyson Biography. Read about his rise from delinquent to boxing champion, his cocaine addiction, his fight against Buster Douglas, and his relationship with his trainer Rooney. Learn about Tyson’s life and how it has shaped the world of boxing today.
Mike Tyson’s rise from delinquent to boxing champ
Mike Tyson’s story began at a young age, when he was living in a rough Brooklyn neighborhood. By age thirteen, he had already been arrested 38 times. He was sent to a juvenile reform school in Johnstown, New York, where he was trained by amateur boxing champion Bobby Stewart. While at the reform school, Tyson’s boxing talent was discovered and he was eventually transferred to the custody of Cus D’Amato, who lived above the Catskill police station.
When he was 16, Tyson began to learn boxing and quickly became a champion. The intense training sessions included a regimented diet of chicken and rice, steak and pasta, fruit juice, and interval sprints. Then he fought ten rounds of sparring in the ring.
His addiction to cocaine
In his autobiography, Mike Tyson revealed shocking new details about his cocaine addiction. He entered some of his most important fights high on drugs, and took drastic measures to avoid tests. During his time in prison, he was even caught taking drugs by his guards. A therapist eventually persuaded him to enter rehab. After three failed attempts, Tyson was finally able to begin withdrawal from cocaine and other drugs.
Tyson has said he still uses cocaine on occasion. He has also been arrested and pleaded guilty to the charges. The former boxing champion has been sober for eight months. He was convicted of rape in 1992, and served three years in an Indiana prison. He was released three months later admitted to the charges against him.
His defeat against Buster Douglas
For a long time, Mike Tyson was the feared fighter in the world. When he was scheduled to face Buster Douglas, he was already at a disadvantage because Evander Holyfield was also in his eye line. King had been the one promoting both fighters, and Tyson’s camp protested the decision. But King eventually relented and Douglas was named the heavyweight champion.
In the aftermath of his defeat against Douglas, Tyson’s fame dwindled. He did not train hard for the fight, and he did not take it seriously, either. Instead, Tyson partied and drank drugs, and he ran around with whores. He had forgotten what made him a great fighter, and he was no longer able to do it. The loss ended his undefeated streak. Instead, Tyson was no longer considered a world-class fighter, and he had become a one-shot headhunter, with no skills to make a fight.
His Daughter Rayna Tyson
Rayna Tyson is the daughter of actor Tyson Turner and his wife Monica. She was born in Maryland and has lived there with her family since childhood. Since graduating from high school, she has pursued a career in the film industry. She has studied cinema at New York University and has worked as a crew member on films.
Rayna Tyson has a net worth of $500k. She studied film at New York University and was nominated for Best Film Student in 2016. She worked on the documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson and in the psychological thriller Joker. Currently, she is earning money from her commercial roles.
Rayna Tyson’s parents were doctors who worked with children with various conditions. They married in 1997 and had two children, Amir and Rayna. The couple separated in 2002. At the time, the children were four and five years old. Rayna Tyson has worked in the entertainment industry since her divorce from her father.
Rayna Tyson has several half-siblings. Her father married Kimberly Scarborough, who also raised her. Amir and Rayna spent most of their childhood together. Rayna was interested in acting since a young age. She has worked on numerous movies as a crew member.
His relationship with trainer Rooney
The long-running relationship between Mike Tyson and trainer Rooney is a controversial one. Initially, Tyson thought of terminating Rooney’s employment but decided against it. He later filed a federal lawsuit, alleging breach of an oral agreement. Rooney has not commented on Tyson’s actions since.
Rooney was the second-closest trainer to the young Tyson after his adoptive father, Cus D’Amato. Rooney was most familiar with Cus D’Amato’s patented “Peek-a-Boo” boxing style. Since the late 1980s, Rooney has continued to train fighters. Most recently, he trained Vinny Paz, who won the light middleweight championship. Rooney also serves as an adviser on a screenplay by Dianna Lefas.
His charity
A boxing legend has decided to give back to the community, launching his charity, the Mike Tyson Cares Foundation. The goal is to help children from broken homes with healthcare, school assistance, shelter, and mentoring. The charity has already begun by partnering with prominent prison reform group Dream Corps/Cut50, founded by CNN pundit Van Jones.
While Tyson’s net worth has been reported to be around $685 million, he has also filed for bankruptcy in 2003. At that time, he had accumulated debts of $23 million. However, he has since bounced back financially. His charity works with those who are suffering from substance abuse or homelessness.