|
Written by Denise I Smithson
|
|
Thursday, 07 May 2009 02:40 |
|
Mike Tyson: Triumph and Tragedy
by DeniseISmithson
Mike Tyson: Triumph and Tragedy
Few athletic figures in recent decades have captured the public's attention, for better or for worse, than Mike Tyson. At his best, Mike Tyson was one of the most feared boxers of all time. He won many a fight before stepping into a ring from the complete and utter fear that gripped his opponents at the thought of meeting this compact, muscle bound, wrecking ball of a man. At his worst, he has been in and out of jail, battling drug addiction and generally causing an unwanted havoc both in and out of the ring.
Mike Tyson's Rise to Stardom and the Heavyweight Championship
As a teen, Mike Tyson has multiple encounters with the law, having been arrested dozens of times. Finally, it was boxing which started to turn his life around. From his involvement in sports and more importantly, his relationship with his trainer Cus D'Amato he learned to focus on his goals - and his was winning. D'Amato was a father figure to the fledgling Tyson; and his death led to the unraveling of this American sports icon.other boxers of this man. He has done prison time, fought drug addiction and generally become infamous both in and out of the ring.
But all of this was still ahead of Tyson, who was quickly gaining a reputation as a fearsome puncher and a future champion. He disposed his first 19 opponents by knockout, the majority of which were finished in the first round. After winning the title, Tyson remained very active, defending his title and acquiring other title belts in quick succession. The man seemed to be unbeatable, and untouchable.
The Beginning of the End
It was the upset victory of James Buster Douglas (with 1-42 odds against him) in the tenth round of a brutal match which cost Tyson both his title belt and the impression that he simply could not be beaten. Before long, Tyson would be in prison, serving a sentence for a rape.
Upon his return to society from jail, the return of Mike Tyson to the ring was highly anticipated. After winning several bouts and securing a title belt, Tyson met Evander Holyfield. Holyfield would not back down from Tyson and stopped him in the 11th round. In the rematch of the fight, the infamous ear biting incident took place. Tyson, frustrated against Holyfield, literally bit a chunk of flesh out of Holyfield's ear en route to a DQ loss. The rest of his career was defined by one comeback after another, a destruction at the hands of champion Lennox Lewis and meaningless fights and losses, as a desperate fighter was in desperate need of money.
Mike Tyson Today
Mike Tyson is most famous today for having a tribal tattoo on his face and repeatedly getting into trouble. He has been charged with possession of drugs and been in and out of rehab trying to get his life together. Rumors of another comeback routinely surface, igniting some people to nostalgically wish for the chance to see a former great heavyweight find the magic once more and other people standing in line, waiting to see the inevitable train wreck. Publicly, Tyson has shown remorse and shame for many of his actions, and acknowledges that he is in a work in progress, trying to find his way in the world. What that world has in store for Mike Tyson, nobody would be wise to try to predict.
About the Author:
For the latest news and information about sports drop by the Nothing But Sports Site http://nothingbutsports.info/ today. |
