The Day Iron Mike Was On Top Of The World

46 years ago Saturday one of the greatest Boxers of all time to grace the sport was born. Some may even consider him to be the greatest to come along and most devistating since the great Muhammad Ali. He is the one-- the only-- “Iron” Mike Tyson. His career like his life have been filled with ups and downs twists and turns. But this week in Boxing history also signifies something more for Mike Tyson and Boxing then just him turning another year older.

Mike Tyson who was born in Brooklyn, New York, found trouble from a young age. Tyson was arrested numerous times for petty crimes, going in and out of juvenile hall. And It's in a juvenile detention center that he would discover the sport of Boxing. Shortly after discovering Boxing, Tyson would be introduced to the man and trainer Cus D'Amato, that would do the majority of shaping Mike Tyson into a fine tuned knock out machine. D'Amato while training Tyson became a farther like figure, and taught Tyson his signature peek a boo style that would tear through the Boxing world, and electrify billions. The rest after wards would write itself.

As an amateur Mike Tyson would go on to win two Junior Olympic Gold medals, while also recording the quickest knock out in Junior Olympics history of eight seconds. Then turning pro Tyson would become the youngest heavyweight champ in Boxing history, knocking out Trevor Berbick at the age of 20. After winning the belt Tyson would go on to defend his title six more times, before he finally met up with then lineal IBF heavyweight champ undefeated Michael Spinks (31-0, 21 Ko's).

Spinks who had beaten Larry Holmes by decision in 1985 was at the time the lineal IBF heavyweight champion. Although Spinks had been previously stripped of the IBF belt due to electing not to fight the number one contender. Many Boxing writers still considered Spinks to be the champion, as well as many Boxing writers believed Spinks had a true candadicy at being the true heavyweight champion in the world. And exaclty 24 years ago today June 27^th, 1988 Spinks was seen as a force that possibly could derail “Iron Mike”, in a heavyweight unification bout. This set the stage for the pinnacle of Tysons career and Boxing ability.

Michael Spinks who was a normally aggressive fighter came forward from the bell in the first round and it would ultimaetly be his undoing. Tyson came out ripping Spinks from the start and blinding him with his speed. Spinks no doubt was seeing ghosts as Tyson landed a deadly uppercut exaclty :91 seconds into the first round. Michael Spinks wouldn't get up from the brutal punch and Mike Tyson was then crowned with all three heavyweight champinships, plus the title of lineal champ. It marked the first time a U.S. Heavyweight owned all three heavyweight champinship belts. At that exact moment Mike Tyson was the greatest heavyweight and Boxer of all time.

Unfortunaetly after Mike Tyson captured all three titles his career slowly declined. Tyson won a few more title defenses before getting knocked out by James Douglas in Japan. Not long after that Tyson would lose twice to Evander Holyfield once getting knocked out and the other by DQ as Tyson bit Holyfield on the ear. Tyson's life outside the ring also took hits like his career. Tyson would be sentenced to prison while also becoming addicted to drugs and alcohol. Mike Tyson's career and image would be tainted forever ruining his all time legacy in the eyes of many.

Mike Tyson still holds his place as one of the greatest heavyweights of all time for sure. And 24 years ago today he was crowned the next king of Boxing becoming lineal champion and unified champion. Since then Tyson was pulled back down to earth. Tyson will always be remebered for his first round knockouts, but the question will always be brought up, what if Tyson beats Holyfield even just once? What if Tyson stayed out of trouble? Maybe we would see Mike Tyson even higher then the greatest of all time Muhammad Ali, maybe we would see Mike Tyson as the greatest Boxer of all time.