TYSON, MIKE

born June 30, 1966, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S. in full Michael Gerald Tyson American boxer who, at the age of 20, became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. A member of street gangs at an early age, Tyson was sent to reform school in upstate New York in 1978. There, social worker and boxing aficionado Bobby Stewart recognized his boxing potential and directed him to renowned trainer Cus D'Amato, who became his legal guardian. Tyson compiled a record of 243 as an amateur and turned professional on March 4, 1985, with a first-round knockout of Hector Mercedes. D'Amato taught Tyson a peekaboo boxing style, with hands held close to his cheeks, and a continuous bobbing motion in the boxing ring that made his defense almost impenetrable. Short and squat, he lacked the classic heavyweight boxer's appearance, but his surprising quickness and aggressiveness in the ring overwhelmed most of his opponents. On Nov. 22, 1986, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history, with a two-round knockout of Trevor Berbick, to claim the crown of the World Boxing Council (WBC). On March 7, 1987, he acquired the World Boxing Association (WBA) belt when he defeated James Smith. Tyson was unanimously recognized as champion by all three sanctioning organizations (WBC, WBA, International Boxing Federation) after defeating Tony Tucker on Aug. 1, 1987. After the deaths of D'Amato and manager Jimmy Jacobs, Tyson aligned with controversial promoter Don King. He made 10 successful defenses of his world heavyweight title, including victories over former champions Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks. On Feb. 11, 1990, in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, he lost the championship to lightly regarded James Buster Douglas, who scored a technical knockout in the 10th round. He rebounded from the loss with four straight victories before being convicted of rape in 1992. His six-year sentence was reduced because of good behaviour, and he was released from prison on March 25, 1995. Following his release, Tyson resumed boxing and in 1996 regained two of his championship belts with easy victories over Frank Bruno and Bruce Seldon. On Nov. 9, 1996, in a long-anticipated bout with two-time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, Tyson lost for the second time in his professional career, by a technical knockout in the 11th round. In a rematch against Holyfield on June 28, 1997, he was disqualified after twice biting his opponent's ears and, as a result of the infraction, lost his boxing license.