They say fame has a price. Behind the spotlights, there is an unknown world filled with luxury cars, beautiful women who are ready to give themselves to you, non-stop parties and an endless flow of alcohol. Of course, this world is restricted to only a privileged few, so mere mortals have no place there. However, living in a world of glitz and glamor comes at a high price, and Mike Tyson is living proof of that.
Perhaps there has never been anyone as feared in the ring as Tyson. This powerhouse was truly a fighting god: his magnificent feats of strength and indisputable victories made him unbeatable. True to form, this phenom has boasted a string of victories under his belt and no one other than the great Ali himself has managed to make such an impact on the boxing world.
Tyson’s childhood was not easy. His father abandoned his little family and his sister died of a heart attack. He was orphaned at the age of sixteen and from then on, the young boxer knew that he only had to depend on himself and his two fists to survive the harsh world. Even at a young age, Tyson proved to be a hothead, living on the streets of New York.
Throughout his career, he was a celebrated and feared modern day gladiator. He would make his debut in 1985. His first win would be crucial as he defeated his opponent by knockout and his future bouts would also end in a KO or TKO. He would become the youngest world heavyweight champion in history by defeating Trevor Berbick in a title fight.
For three years, Tyson would hold the title of undisputed world heavyweight champion. During his undefeated title reign, he would strike fear into the hearts of his opponents and earn millions of dollars for every victory he won. The boy, who grew up in Hard Knock School, rolled in the Benjamins and loved every second of it.
Tyson was also quite a controversial figure. Like all superstars, his private life was left vulnerable to the public and the media. His first marriage lasted only a year and one of his daughters died in a freak accident, sending a flurry of emotions through the normally stone-cold gladiator’s heart. But perhaps one of the most talked about controversies in his life would be his addiction to drugs.
To date, Tyson’s life has become a shadow of its former glory. He thought to live without money, he says that he has friends who do. Picking up the pieces, this tough guy refuses to go down without a fight. Despite being called everyone’s favorite joke and having lost everything he had, the gladiator always holds his head high, undefeated and fearless.
Fame is fleeting, coming like the cold wind in December, only to leave a chill in your bones once it’s gone. Many celebrities have crashed and burned, leaving the spotlight forever, never to be heard from again. Others have risen from the ashes and emerged as completely different people. Some have become a shadow of themselves and do not recognize themselves in the mirror. There are still those who emerge as true fighters in the end.
