Tyson’s gift for obliterating opponents in the boxing ring rescued him from the poverty and criminal activity that gripped most of his peers. Under the guidance of legendary trainer Cus D’Amato (who died in 1985), Tyson became the youngest heavyweight boxing champ in history at the age of 20.
Indeed, Tyson found a way to escape poverty, but he couldn’t escape the allure that comes with money and fame. He slept with countless numbers of women, purchased dozens of exotic cars, threw wild parties, and delved into drug use.
One prison stint, a controversial biting of Evander Holyfield’s ear and two divorces later, Tyson lost nearly $400 million of the money he earned throughout his career.
“When I was younger, all I thought about was fame, fortune, girls, sex and drugs,” Tyson says. “When my career was over, I left a massive wreckage in my past. I realized I won a lot of superficial victories such as sex and money. I’m now trying to make amends. I love moral victories more. And that’s real love when you care more about morals than anything else.”
