The 1980s and early 1990s were undoubtedly the era of the boxing legend Mike Tyson. During this time, Tyson’s star power extended beyond the boxing world, and he found himself in the company of various celebrities from different fields, including music. One such friendship that left a mark on his life was with the iconic rockstar Joan Jett.

Tyson and Jett’s paths crossed shortly after he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Both were at the peak of their careers, achieving record-breaking success and popularity. Their bond became public when they graced the cover page of the renowned magazine ‘In Fashion’. Moreover, an intriguing story that remains famous to this day revolves around the duo.

A superstitious bond: Joan Jett’s wake-up calls and Mike Tyson’s unbeaten legacy

Jett once made an unexpected call to ‘Iron Mike’ before his fight against Larry Sims. Little did they know it would become a fateful coincidence. Tyson emerged victorious in that fight and started to believe that Jett’s call was a lucky charm. From that moment on, he insisted on receiving a wake-up call from the rockstar before every fight. This quirky tradition seemed to work like magic, and Tyson continued his undefeated streak.

With Jett’s encouraging words and friendship by his side, the former champion seemed unstoppable in the ring. His raw power and ferocity made him akin to a pit bull, and opponents feared facing him. The tradition of the pre-fight call became more than just a routine; it became a symbol of the bond between two prominent figures in their respective fields – the boxing ring and the music stage. However, no streak lasts forever, and Tyson’s unbeaten record came to an unexpected halt on a fateful day in February 1990.

How Mike Tyson lost his first fight by not following his tradition

As Tyson geared up to face James ‘Buster’ Douglas in Japan in 1990, he noticed that he hadn’t received the customary call from Jett. Perhaps dismissing it as just another routine, he stepped into the ring with confidence. However, the absence of Jett’s call proved to be the break in the lucky charm, and the unthinkable happened – Tyson lost to Douglas in one of the most memorable upsets in sports history.

The loss to Douglas shook the boxing world to its core. Nobody had thought that the unstoppable ‘Iron Mike’ could be beaten by a relatively unknown and long-shot opponent. The defeat not only shattered Tyson’s aura of invincibility but also served as a turning point in his life.

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The call from the rock legend seemed to be a potent lucky charm, ensuring Tyson’s victories in the ring. But when the tradition was broken before the Buster Douglas fight, Tyson experienced his first defeat.

What did you think about this unusual tradition between Tyson and Jett? Let us know in the comments.

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