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 Michael Gerard Tyson - A RebuttalJan 28, 2004 By Jason Petock
Breathtaking? Sensational? Throwback? All these terms and more have been used to describe the legend Mike Tyson. So have rapist, monster, freak, criminal and delinquent as well unfortunately. He was taken under the wing of Constantine “Cus” D’ Amato at the tender age of 14 and molded for greatness. A man-child of massive physical attributes and untamed power. Tyson was nothing short of a modern day version of the Roman gladiators of old who battled to their deaths amidst the cheers and adulation of blood thirsty fans in the coliseum. Mike won the Golden Gloves Heavyweight Championship in 1984. A year later he turned professional and laid to rest 15 opponents in a combined total of a mere 22 rounds. In 1986, his second year as a professional, he had 27 straight wins before he beat Trevor Berbick to capture the WBC World Heavyweight Championship. He became the youngest man to ever claim such prestige (surpassing Floyd Patterson’s initial record) at 20 years and 145 days old. With all this said, these accomplishments seem to pale in comparison to scandal, greed and target journalism. Once a media “darling”, he’s now been reduced to a three ring circus act teetering on extinction. If he would only recommit himself to training in the sport he once clearly ruled, then there might be a glimmer of hope, a flash of brilliance. With the long absence and subsequent elimination of Kevin Rooney years ago (an old reminder of the D’Amato days and close former trainer/friend of Mike’s) it seems highly unlikely. There’s no question that Tyson suffers from demons. We all do. If we didn’t we wouldn’t be human. That’s the term that many fail to incorporate in descriptions of “Iron” Mike Tyson. Human. He is human and no one is perfect. Given his whirlwind career, failed marriages and constant legal and financial burdens the man is lucky to still exist. This “Sweet Science” of ours needs Michael Gerard Tyson. No matter what you feel personally towards him there is no denying his drawing power or mass appeal. Boxing is a game of numbers, big numbers. Everyone can speculate and wonder about what if Tyson had never gone to prison? But what’s done is done and you can’t change the past. All you can do is hope and pray for the future – Mike Tyson’s future. Email Questions or comments to Jason at: boxingwarrior@hotmail.com. Discuss This Topic at the Message Boards.
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