“I Was Petrified” – the Only Man Mike Tyson Feared Was the One He Never Fought

Published 04/21/2023, 10:45 AM EDT

Mike Tyson was a fearless competitor during his heydays and is frequently referred to as the ‘baddest man on the planet’ due to the sheer aura he possessed around him in his prime. The former heavyweight champion intimidated his opponents even before they got into the ring with him. The world knows him as the larger-than-life heavyweight boxer who had the ability to knock out the best of the best boxers with ease.

However, many would find it hard to believe that Tyson, would fear someone. In 2017, Tyson, in his book, revealed the only man he feared the most throughout his career.

Mike Tyson candidly revealed the man he feared the most and it wasn’t a surprise

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In 2017, Tyson published a book named Iron Ambition: My Life with Cus D’Amato. In the book, Tyson elaborates on the life lessons that Cus D’Amato passed down to him. Amongst many things, he also discussed the man he feared the most.

He expressed candidly that Cus D’Amato was the only man he feared. Cus D’Amato is one of the most notable American boxing coaches training the likes of Floyd Patterson, José Torres, and Tyson himself. In the book, Tyson stated, “I was petrified when I was alone with him. If he called me – ‘Mike, I need to talk to you’ – I didn’t feel good going over to him. That’s when he’d start giving me his detailed criticisms of my fights.”

Cus D’Amato had a big influence in building Tyson not just as a boxer but as an individual who went on to achieve accolades only few can dream of. Cus is no more but Tyson still holds him in his memories and highly regards him. It is only natural that Tyson feared Cus, who was a mentor and a father figure to the youngest Heavyweight champion in history.

In 2020, Tyson made his return to the ring ending his 15-year retirement, to take on another boxing legend in Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition bout. The event was a great spectacle and it was speculated that Tyson might take up another exhibition bout again. Recently, @shoptysonpro teased Tyson’s ‘return’ with a post. The caption of the post read, “TYSON’S RETURN FRI, APR 21 AT 9 AM PT”.

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Boxing Legend Mike Tyson Announces “Return” on April 21

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What are your thoughts on Mike Tyson’s relationship with his coach and mentor Cus D’Amato? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below.

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Written by:

Harddit Bedi is a passionate Boxing writer at EssentiallySports, who specializes in covering the off-court drama of athletes. He has a keen interest in the untold stories of boxers. Harddit is a firm believer in the primal nature of boxing, which he views as the oldest and most fundamental sport known to mankind.

Edited by:

Shibu Immanuel

“I Was Petrified” – the Only Man Mike Tyson Feared Was the One He Never Fought

Mike Tyson candidly revealed the man he feared the most and it wasn’t a surprise

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