Mike Tyson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Tyson |
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Tyson at GalaxyCon, 2023
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| Statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Rated at | Heavyweight | |||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reach | 71 in | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | June 30, 1966 New York City, U.S. |
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| Stance | Orthodox | |||||||||||||||||||
| Boxing record | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total fights | 59 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Wins | 50 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Wins by KO | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Losses | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| No contests | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is a famous American former professional boxer. He competed from 1985 to 2024. People called him "Iron Mike" and "Kid Dynamite" when he was starting out. Later, he was known as "the Baddest Man on the Planet". Many consider Tyson to be one of the best heavyweight boxers ever.
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Mike Tyson's Early Life and Training
Michael Gerard Tyson was born in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York City, on June 30, 1966. He has an older brother named Rodney. He also had an older sister, Denise, who passed away at age 24 in 1990. Tyson's father left the family when Mike was very young. This meant his mother had to raise the children by herself.
The family lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant. When Tyson was 10, they moved to Brownsville because of money problems. As a child, Tyson often got into trouble. He was caught doing small crimes and fighting. He fought those who made fun of his high-pitched voice and lisp. By age 13, he had been arrested many times.
He ended up at the Tryon School for Boys in Johnstown, New York. There, a counselor named Bobby Stewart noticed Tyson's amazing boxing talent. Stewart was a former boxer himself. He trained Tyson for a few months. Then, he introduced Tyson to boxing manager and trainer Cus D'Amato. Tyson left high school before finishing. Later, he received an honorary degree from Central State University in 1989. Kevin Rooney also trained Tyson. Sometimes, Teddy Atlas helped, but D'Amato let Atlas go when Tyson was 15. Rooney eventually became Tyson's main trainer.
Tyson's mother died when he was 16 years old. Cus D'Amato then became his legal guardian. Tyson later shared that his mother never saw him happy or proud of him. She only knew him as a "wild kid" on the streets. He felt sad that he never got to truly know her.
Amateur Boxing Career
Before becoming a professional, Tyson was a successful amateur boxer. He won gold medals at the Junior Olympic Games in 1981 and 1982. In 1981, he beat Joe Cortez. In 1982, he won against Kelton Brown. Brown's team stopped the fight in the first round. In 1984, Tyson won a gold medal at the National Golden Gloves in New York. He defeated Jonathan Littles in that competition.
He fought Henry Tillman twice as an amateur. Tyson lost both of those fights. Tillman later won a gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
Mike Tyson's Professional Boxing Journey
Tyson started his professional boxing career at 18 years old. His first fight was on March 6, 1985, in Albany, New York. He won against Hector Mercedes in the first round. In his first year as a professional, he had 15 fights. Tyson won 26 of his first 28 fights by knockout. Sixteen of these wins happened in the very first round.
As he fought more, his opponents became tougher. He faced experienced fighters like James Tillis and Mitch Green. His winning streak caught the media's attention. People started calling Tyson the next great heavyweight champion. Sadly, Cus D'Amato, his mentor, died in November 1985. This happened early in Tyson's professional career. Some believe D'Amato's death led to many of Tyson's later challenges.
Tyson's first fight shown on national television was on February 16, 1986. He fought Jesse Ferguson in Troy, New York. Tyson knocked Ferguson down in the fifth round. Ferguson's nose was broken. In the sixth round, Ferguson kept holding Tyson to avoid more hits. The referee stopped the fight. Tyson won by technical knockout (TKO).
In July, Tyson had six more knockout wins. Then, he fought former world title challenger Marvis Frazier. Tyson won this fight very quickly. He charged at Frazier and knocked him out in just thirty seconds.
Tyson was the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990. He won his first 19 professional fights by knockout. Twelve of those wins were in the first round. Tyson became the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old. He was also the first heavyweight to hold the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles at the same time. The next year, he became the lineal champion. He knocked out Michael Spinks in only 91 seconds.
In 1990, Tyson lost to Buster Douglas. This was one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.
After some time away, Tyson returned to boxing in 1995. He won back the WBA and WBC titles in 1996. This made him one of the few boxers to regain a heavyweight championship. Later, he lost the WBA title to Evander Holyfield. In 2002, Tyson fought for the world heavyweight title again. He lost to Lennox Lewis by knockout.
Tyson was known for his powerful and scary boxing style. He was also famous for his actions both inside and outside the ring. He said his style was inspired by Sonny Liston. Tyson won 88% of his fights by knockout. The Ring magazine ranked him among the greatest punchers ever. ESPN called him one of "The Hardest Hitters in Heavyweight History". Sky Sports described him as "perhaps the most ferocious fighter to step into a professional ring".
Mike Tyson's Legacy and Achievements
On June 12, 2011, Tyson was welcomed into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He joined other boxing legends like Julio César Chávez.
In 2013, Tyson was also inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame. He was a main honoree at the ceremony. In 2015, he was inducted into the Southern Nevada Hall of Fame.
Tyson is remembered for his unique look in the ring. He wore black shorts and black shoes without socks. He also had a plain white towel around his neck instead of a traditional robe. He would often pace quickly around the ring before a fight began.
Life After Boxing
In 2005, Tyson shared in an interview that he felt his life had been a "waste." He wanted to escape and become a missionary. He started spending a lot of time with his 350 pigeons in Paradise Valley.
Tyson has remained in the public eye. He has promoted different websites and companies. In the past, he avoided endorsements. He felt other athletes were not being real to get them. Tyson has also put on boxing shows in Las Vegas casinos. He started a tour of exhibition fights to help pay off his debts.
In October 2012, Tyson started the Mike Tyson Cares Foundation. This foundation aims to "give kids a fighting chance." It creates special centers to help children from troubled homes.
In August 2013, Tyson partnered with Acquinity Sports. They formed Iron Mike Productions, a company that promotes boxing events.
In September 2013, Tyson had a TV series on Fox Sports 1. It was called Being: Mike Tyson. The show followed his personal life.
In November 2013, Tyson's book Undisputed Truth was published. It became a best-seller on The New York Times Best Seller list. He also won a special award for his autobiography.
In May 2017, Tyson released his second book, Iron Ambition. This book talks about his time with his trainer and father figure, Cus D'Amato.
In 2018, Tyson visited a mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament in Russia. He said he realized that Russian people are very kind.
On May 12, 2020, Tyson posted a video of himself training. He hinted at returning to boxing by saying, "I'm back."
Tyson has also made appearances in professional wrestling. He helped Cody win a match at All Elite Wrestling's Double or Nothing in 2020. He also appeared on AEW Dynamite and helped Chris Jericho.
In 2022, Tyson had a special appearance in the movie Liger.
Mike Tyson's Legends Only League
In July 2020, Mike Tyson announced a new project. He created Mike Tyson's Legends Only League. Tyson started this league with Sophie Watts and her company, Eros Innovations. The league gives retired professional athletes a chance to compete again in their sports.
On November 28, 2020, Mike Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. This was the first event produced by the Legends Only League. The event was very popular. It was the highest-selling pay-per-view event of 2020. It also ranks among the top pay-per-view events of all time.
Mike Tyson's Personal Life
Tyson lives in Seven Hills, Nevada. He has been married three times. He has seven children with three different women. He also considers his second wife's oldest daughter as one of his own children.
Tyson married actress Robin Givens on February 7, 1988. They had a traditional ceremony in Chicago. They officially separated on February 14, 1989. Tyson and Givens did not have any children together. During their marriage, they lived in a large house in Bernardsville, New Jersey.
Tyson's second marriage was to Monica Turner. They were married from April 19, 1997, to January 14, 2003. Turner filed for divorce in January 2002. They had two children: a son named Amir and a child named Ramsey.
Sadly, Tyson's four-year-old daughter Exodus passed away on May 26, 2009.
Eleven days after his daughter's death, Tyson married for the third time. He married his longtime girlfriend Lakiha "Kiki" Spicer. They exchanged vows on June 6, 2009, in a small, private ceremony in Las Vegas. They have two children together: a daughter named Milan and a son named Morocco.
Titles and Awards in Boxing
Mike Tyson has won many important titles and awards throughout his career.
Major World Titles
- WBA heavyweight champion (2 times)
- WBC heavyweight champion (2 times)
- IBF heavyweight champion
The Ring Magazine Titles
- The Ring heavyweight champion
Undisputed Titles
- Undisputed heavyweight champion
Honorary Titles
- WBC Frontline Battle champion
Other Awards and Honors
- Ring magazine Prospect of the Year (1985)
- Ring magazine Fighter of the Year (1986, 1988)
- Sugar Ray Robinson Award winner (1987, 1989)
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality (1989)
- International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2011)
- "Guirlande d'Honneur" by the FICTS (Milan, 2010)
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Faction of the Year (2021) – with The Inner Circle
Images for kids
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Tyson at the Boxing Hall of Fame, 2013
See also
In Spanish: Mike Tyson para niños
