Mike Tyson Claims Cus D’Amato’s Death Improved Major Aspect of His Game

Published 09/20/2021, 9:51 AM EDT

Mike Tyson owes a lot of his in-ring success to Cus D’Amato, who had noticed a spark in young ‘Iron’ and later brought it before the world. Surrounded by crime and dirt poverty, Tyson’s life had no agenda until D’Amato ignited the flame of boxing within him. Tyson began his pugilistic journey beside his father figure and won several accolades in the amateur circuit.

However, he lost D’Amato just before breaking into the main scene. The death clearly shocked a young Mike Tyson and enraged him to the core. This eventually came out as doom for his opponents.

Meanwhile, Mike Tyson has also claimed to have benefited from that shocking loss. Not emotionally, but how it clearly helped him score an uncountable highlight reel of KOs in the ring.

Article continues below this ad

In a chat with Valutainment, Tyson looked back to D’Amato’s death and said, “I am good, I am good.”

“No, it (focus) intensified”

“I don’t know. My whole objective is your total surrender, your total domination. I am gonna destroy you”

Following his debut in 1985, Mike Tyson fought 15 times that year, including 3 fights in November. And as Tyson scored 15 KOs in his debut year, it alarmed the boxing world and shook several top-tier contenders. In no time, ‘Iron’ was the hottest prospect of the sport. Everyone feared him and the fans loved him.

However, Tyson never failed to acknowledge his lost coach for all the success he embraced in a professional career of over 20 years. Mike Tyson has always been praiseful for Cus D’Amato. While he has been honed by several elite trainers all his life, no one seems to have affected him like D’Amato.

Logan Paul Downplays Floyd Mayweather’s Power: “KSI Hits Harder”

Mike Tyson became ‘Iron’ under the guidance of Cus D’Amato

Article continues below this ad

55-year-old Tyson’s knockout power is considered the most vicious feature in the history of boxing. While several hard hitters like George Foreman and Deontay Wilder might disagree, there’s no denying that Tyson’s KO-wins had grabbed global attention. That said, Tyson revealed how D’Amato’s suggestions helped him hone that power.

In a chat with GQ, Tyson has looked at it and said, “I developed [my knockout ability] through Cus D’Amato telling me repetitiously over and over again to do this movement and to punch with this type of bad intentions. And just to have ferociousness and mean intentions whenever you throw punches and stuff. And try and punch through your opponent, not at him.” (H/T:-Sports Casting)

Article continues below this ad

Aged 55, Tyson has lived the life of a star and is still an active celebrity with entertainment and business activities on board. However, his prime identity will always remain of him being an elite knockout artist.

Watch This Story: Most Dangerous Heavyweight Boxers in 2021

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

A senior boxing writer at EssentiallySports, Raj Sarkar is a mass media graduate who is currently pursuing his master’s degree in broadcast journalism. In addition to his current role, he has worked with the MMA team at EssentiallySports and has interviewed prominent fighters such as Ritu Phogat and 'The Red King' Rory MacDonald. He combined his bachelor's degree with his adoration for combat sports and has a combined 2000 plus bylines in MMA and boxing over the last two years.

Mike Tyson Claims Cus D’Amato’s Death Improved Major Aspect of His Game

Mike Tyson became ‘Iron’ under the guidance of Cus D’Amato

Trending

Ignoring Mother’s Warning After $50 Million Payout Could Cost Ryan Garcia Big Time

Ryan Garcia’s Payout for Devin Haney Fight to Exceed ‘$50 Million’ After $2 Million Bet Pays Off Big

Devin Haney’s Mom: Real Reason He Left Her at the Age of 14?

Tim Bradley Jr. Explodes in Fury Over Ryan Garcia’s Vulgar Taunt After Devin Haney Win

Can You Bet on Yourself in Boxing? Ryan Garcia’s $50 Million Payout Sparks Debate Among Fans