Sports
10 Unheard Facts About Boxing Legend, Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson, once the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, has lived a life full of triumphs, tragedies, and surprising twists. Here are 10 lesser-known facts about the boxing icon that highlight his complex journey:
1. A Troubled Youth
By the age of 13, Tyson had already been arrested 38 times. His early life was marred by a history of crime and mischief, which led him to the Tryon School for Boys in Johnstown, New York. It was there that his boxing potential was discovered by Bobby Stewart, a counselor and former boxer who recognized Tyson’s raw talent. Stewart helped Tyson hone his skills before introducing him to legendary trainer Cus D’Amato, who would become his legal guardian.
2. A Painful Family History
Tyson’s relationship with his mother was strained. His mother, who is alleged to have worked as a prostitute, passed away when Tyson was just 16. He recalls never having the opportunity to speak to her about his accomplishments. Tyson stated, “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.”
3. A Heartbreaking Loss
In 2009, Tyson experienced one of the most devastating tragedies of his life. His four-year-old daughter, Exodus, died after a tragic home accident involving a treadmill cord. Tyson, who was in Las Vegas at the time, rushed back to Phoenix to be with her, but she succumbed to her injuries the following day.
4. Faith and Identity
Although Tyson was raised a Catholic, he later converted to Islam before serving his prison sentence. He clarified that his conversion occurred prior to his time behind bars and explained that he made no effort to correct media reports suggesting otherwise. Tyson completed the Islamic pilgrimage Umrah in 2010 and again in December 2022, accompanied by musician DJ Khaled.
5. A Conviction That Shaped His Life
In July 1991, Tyson was convicted of rape after an incident involving Desiree Washington, an 18-year-old beauty queen. The trial, which lasted from January to February 1992, resulted in Tyson being sentenced to six years in prison. He was later released on parole in 1995 after serving three years.
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6. Celibacy for Championship Glory
Tyson once revealed that he abstained from sex for around five years during his rise to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history. “I always read that great fighters never had sex before fights and I was a young kid and I wanted to be the youngest heavyweight champion in the world, so I restrained myself from sex for around 5 years,” Tyson shared.
7. A Bizarre Proposal
In one of his more eccentric moments, Tyson offered a zookeeper $10,000 to open the gate to the gorilla pen so he could fight a gorilla that had been bullying the other primates. However, the zookeeper declined Tyson’s unusual offer.
8. A Grueling Training Regimen
Tyson’s training routine was intense and relentless. He would wake up at 4 AM for a 5-mile jog, followed by a series of rigorous exercises. His daily regimen included 2000 sit-ups, 500 push-ups, 500 dips, 500 shrugs, and 30 minutes of neck bridges. He followed this demanding schedule six days a week, often spending up to 10 hours training each day.
9. A Love for Exotic Animals
Tyson has a long history of owning exotic animals, including Bengal tigers, mountain lions, and pumas. At one point, he spent $70,000 each on three white Bengal tigers, along with an additional $200,000 annually for their upkeep. Tyson later expressed regret for keeping wild animals in captivity but fondly recalled his first-ever fight being over a pigeon.
10. The Iconic Facial Tattoo
Tyson’s distinctive facial tattoo, which was inspired by the Māori tribe, has become one of his most recognizable features. Initially, the tattoo was met with criticism, but Tyson later revealed that he had wanted a design of hearts to symbolize his softer side. However, his tattoo artist, Victor Whitmill, convinced him to adopt the tribal design before his match with Clifford Ettiene.
Despite earning over $400 million throughout his career, Tyson faced significant financial challenges and filed for bankruptcy in 2003. Lavish spending on mansions, cars, and exotic pets led him to accumulate $23 million in debt. To recover, he launched a cannabis business, appeared in movies, and started a podcast. Today, his estimated net worth is between $10 million to $15 million.
The Belgian Football Federation has named Frenchman Rudi Garcia as the new head coach of the national team, following the sacking of Domenico Tedesco after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.
In a statement released on Friday, the federation confirmed the appointment of the Underworld former Napoli, Lyon, and Roma manager, who will be formally introduced to the press later in the day.
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Garcia’s task will be to rejuvenate the Red Devils after their early exit from the European Championship and underwhelming performances in the Nations League.
Belgium recently parted ways with Tedesco, who had been in charge since February 2023.
The Italian-German coach was brought in to rebuild the squad following the departure of the country’s celebrated “golden generation” under Roberto Martinez but failed to deliver the expected results.
The team now faces a critical relegation play-off against Ukraine in March, before beginning their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a trip to North Macedonia in June.
Garcia brings a wealth of experience, having coached top European clubs such as Marseille and Lyon.
He also made his mark at Lille between 2008 and 2013, leading the French side to a Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double in 2011.
However, his most recent role at Napoli in 2023 ended in disappointment after just five months.
Borussia Dortmund have sacked head coach Nuri Sahin after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Bologna in Tuesday’s Champions League match, marking the club’s fourth consecutive defeat in all competitions.
The decision follows a string of poor performances that have left the club in 10th place in the Bundesliga, 20 points adrift of league leaders Bayern Munich.
Sporting CEO Lars Ricken expressed that the club had “lost faith” in Sahin, explaining that the decision was painful but necessary.
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“We have unfortunately lost faith that we will achieve our sporting goals,” Ricken said. “We value Nuri Sahin and his work very much, we hoped for a long collaboration, but after the game in Bologna, this was unavoidable.”
Sahin, who had been promoted to head coach in the summer following his role as assistant to Edin Terzic during Dortmund’s surprise Champions League final run last season, acknowledged the disappointment.
“Unfortunately, I was not able to live up to Dortmund’s sporting ambitions at this point in time. I wish this special club all the best.”
The defeat against Bologna caps a difficult season for the club under Sahin’s stewardship.
Despite their strong showing in last season’s Champions League, where they lost to Real Madrid in the final, Dortmund have struggled in the Bundesliga and were eliminated from the German Cup by Wolfsburg.
Their away form, in particular, has been disastrous, with only four wins and nine losses in 15 matches away from the Westfalenstadion.
Dortmund’s leadership, which has historically favored former players in managerial roles, now faces the task of finding a suitable replacement for Sahin.
German media reports suggest potential successors could include Erik Ten Hag, the former Manchester United boss who has been spotted attending Dortmund games recently, or Roger Schmidt, formerly of Benfica and Bayer Leverkusen.
In the interim, U19 coach Mike Tullberg has been appointed to take charge of the first team, starting with Saturday’s home match against Werder Bremen.
The sacking of Sahin is the latest chapter in a turbulent managerial history for Dortmund since the departure of Jurgen Klopp in 2015, with the club having cycled through eight different head coaches in that time. Only Lucien Favre managed to stay longer than two years.
Sahin’s tenure as manager was a significant moment for Dortmund, as he was one of the club’s own, having come through the ranks and played over 270 games for the team, including being part of the squad that won the 2011 Bundesliga title.
However, his time at the helm of the senior team has proven to be short-lived as Dortmund now seek a new direction.
Manchester City have completed the signing of 19-year-old defender Vitor Reis from Brazilian club Palmeiras, the Premier League champions announced on Tuesday.
The Brazilian youth international joins on a four-and-a-half-year deal for a reported fee of £29.6 million ($36.2 million).
Reis, a right-footed centre-back, expressed his enthusiasm about joining the English giants. “I’m excited to join Manchester City, one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said Reis.
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“Everyone has seen the amazing achievements in recent seasons, and I want to make my mark as we seek more trophies. Working with Pep Guardiola is something every young player wants to do, and I know he can help me to develop into the best player I can be.”
City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, highlighted the qualities that attracted the club to Reis.
He said, “Vitor Reis is one of the most promising young defenders in the world, and we’re delighted to have been able to bring him here. He is excellent on the ball and outstanding in the air — he has all the attributes needed to be one of the best.”
The signing of Reis is City’s second addition of the January transfer window, following the arrival of Uzbekistan international Abdukodir Khusanov.
Reports indicate that the club is also pursuing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush before the window closes.
Manchester City, currently fifth in the Premier League table, have faced challenges this season due to a series of defensive injuries.
However, the team showcased their attacking strength with a dominant 6-0 victory over Ipswich on Sunday.
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