In early life, Tyson’s biological father Percell Tyson was not around for much of his childhood. The man in Tyson’s life as a youngster was Jimmy Kirkpatrick. In 1959, Jimmy Kirkpatrick had left his family and moved to Brooklyn, where he met Tyson’s mother, Lorna Smith Tyson.
Kirkpatrick gambled and hung out on the streets. Tyson once stated “My father was just a regular street guy caught up in the street world,”
Kirkpatrick would later abandon the Tyson family leaving Tyson’s mother to care for the children on her own. Kirkpatrick died in 1992.
The family lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn, but once it became a financial burden they moved to Brownsville when Tyson was 10.
Speaking about his mother, Tyson said; “I never saw my mother happy with me and proud of me for doing something: she only knew me as being a wild kid running the streets, coming home with new clothes that she knew I didn't
pay for. I never got a chance to talk to her or know about her. Professionally, it has no effect, but it’s crushing emotionally and personally.”
When he was 16 years old Tyson mother died. This led to the fighter being looked after by boxing manager and trainer Cus D’Amato.
Kevin Rooney also trained Tyson and he was occasionally assisted by Teddy Atlas, although he was dismissed by D’Amato when Tyson was 15. Rooney eventually took over all training duties for the young fighter.
Tyson won gold medals at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympic Games, defeating Joe Cortez in 1981 and beating Kelton Brown in 1982.
Brown’s corner threw in the towel in the first round. Tyson still holds the Junior Olympic record for quickest knockout (8 seconds).
He won every bout at the Junior Olympic Games by knockouts.
Tyson became the lineal champion when he knocked out Michael Spinks after 91 seconds. Tyson successfully defended the world heavyweight championship nine times, including victories over Larry Holmes and Frank Bruno. In 1990, he lost his titles to underdog James "Buster" Douglas, by a knockout in round 10.
Posts
