Mike Tyson Quotes About Life
Every morning I consider what I’m grateful for, and almost every morning I am reminded that to still have my parents—and the close people whom I truly love—in my life is one of the most wonderful blessings of all.
Matters came to a head when Tyson and Givens gave a joint interview with Barbara Walters on the ABC TV newsmagazine show 20/20 in September 1988, in which Givens described life with Tyson as "torture, pure hell, worse than anything I could possibly imagine." Givens also described Tyson as "manic depressive" – which was later confirmed by doctors – on national television while Tyson looked on with an intent and calm expression. A month later, Givens announced that she was seeking a divorce from the allegedly abusive Tyson, with the two officially separating on February 14, 1989.
The relationship between D’Amato and Tyson was more than that of a professional trainer and a boxer—it was one akin to father and son. D’Amato took Tyson under his wing, and when the 14-year-old was paroled from Tryon in September 1980, he entered into D’Amato’s full-time custody. D’Amato set a rigorous training schedule for the young athlete, sending him to Catskill High School during the day and training in the ring every evening. D’Amato also entered Tyson in amateur boxing matches and "smokers," non-sanctioned fights, to teach the teen how to deal with older opponents.
We went through a couple of gates to get there, then his wife, Kiki, welcomed us and showed us to a casita near the pool. Mike Tyson came in slowly and stiffly — maybe a sign of all those years in the ring — wearing tight (read: hipster) jeans. He's smaller than you'd think, and trim, with delicate hands.
"When he entered the room, women were just crazy," Jackie Boatwright-Daus, a 1991 Miss Black America pageant contestant, told ABC News. "I do distinctly remember a woman taking her underwear off and throwing it ... and screaming something about, ‘mike tyson life story movie, you're an animal, but I'll tame you.’"
If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
When Witherspoon returned to King's training camp, money was so scarce and the mood so low, the champion tried to start a revolt. Other fighters in the camp included former world champion Leon Spinks and future Tyson opponents Mitch Green, Pinklon Thomas and Trevor Berbick, also the last man to fight Ali. But there was so much weed being smoked, they couldn't get motivated.
Tyson was 20 years old and hoping to become the youngest ever heavyweight champion. Today he says he never would have been in that ring if it weren't for trainer Constantine "Cus" D'Amato, a man Muhammad Ali once called "the bible of boxing." Tyson says D'Amato is the reason he had such a legendary career. He's also the reason NPR visited Tyson's home in Las Vegas.
You always have to acknowledge your flaws because in real life, even though my flaws are embarrassing, the only reason I’ve accomplished anything good in life is because of my flaws – in spite of my flaws – not because I didn’t have any. I’m pretty proud of my flaws. My flaws made me ascend to very high places.
King was once the supreme overlord of the realm of boxing—everything he touched turned to gold. But in regards to the fighters he promoted and managed—everyone he touched turned to (expletive). Tyson was just one of many fighters that fell under the spell of the charismatic silver-tongued and silver-haired promoter.
Life is inherently unpredictable. Just as a boxer cannot predict every move of their opponent, we cannot foresee every challenge or obstacle that life will throw at us. This unpredictability is the ‘punch in the mouth’ Tyson refers to. It is the unexpected setbacks that disrupt our plans and forces us to reassess our strategies.
Over the years, he has attended rehab as well as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings. His commitment to a sober life has been more successful recently. "For seven years, I didn’t get high, didn’t drink liquor," Tyson said in 2023. He credits psychedelic mushrooms and marijuana for changing his life and curbing his reliance on alcohol and cocaine.
Even though Mike Tyson's mom allowed his boxing trainer to be his legal guardian, she wasn't very supportive of his dreams and aspirations. When DNA India asked Tyson if he wished his late mom could've lived to see him become the heavyweight champion of the world, Tyson replied, "I don't know," before adding, "My mother didn't like me much. She always thought I was a braggart. She didn't think that I could do it."
rottentomatoes.com61. "We are all great. No matter if you think you’re dumb, fat, been bullied, we all have greatness. You gotta find the courage. It’s going to be hard work, discipline, and the non-cognitive skills — hard work, dedication, sacrifice — that will set you apart. – David Goggins
