Mike Tyson continues his road to ignominy
It was almost exactly 20 years ago that I shook Mike Tyson’s hand in the casino at the Hilton in Las Vegas. It was Nov. 22, 1986, and my dad and I went to see Tyson take on Trevor Berbick.
It was a memorable knockout as Tyson triumphed in two rounds to become the youngest heavyweight champion. My dad slapped Tyson on the back as he left the ring that night, and I shook his hand later that evening in the casino.
He was just a year or so older than I, standing alone, unencumbered by an entourage. He seemed slightly small, but seemed to be basking in his triumph. “Congratulations, champ,” I said to Tyson, who thanked me and pleasantly returned my handshake. I would have never guessed that in 20 years time, my life would be so much better than his.
Recently arrested in Scottsdale for a DUI plus possession of cocaine, what could be the first step of the final collapse may have occurred. He could never enjoy his life or success the way he seemed to enjoy it that night at the Hilton, with introspection and quiet satisfaction. It was always turmoil for Tyson, with his mind being his worst enemy, in a life that actually included enemies.
Out of boxing, a sideshow, and with a self-respect that never developed, Mike Tyson’s future looks horrifying. I hope he can dig himself out of it, if not, I think I’ll just remember him for being, for a short while, as good a heavyweight that ever existed.
–WKW
December 29th, 2006 at 9:59 am
I will never forget the SI article I read about the Tyson-Berbick fight that year. Tyson was quoted as saying, “I wanted to bust his eardrum.” When I read that, I had a premonition that this guy’s career was going to be nasty, brutish and short.
A little googling uncovered this interesting piece about the fight:
http://www.usfca.edu/~southerr/tyson.html
December 31st, 2006 at 7:51 pm
“I would have never guessed that in 20 years time, my life would be so much better than his.”
My guess is your life has been better than his the whole time. (Not that I’d mind blowing $50 million or so, kinda sounds like fun actually…