On March 6, 1985, under the blinding lights of the Plaza Convention Center in Albany, New York, a deafening roar erupted from the crowd. The packed walls and eager eyes stood witness to an 18-year-old phenomenon from the unforgiving streets of Brownsville, who carved his name on the pedestals of boxing history. Every deafening punch added to the legend of the man who would become the most feared force in the heavyweight division, ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson (50-7-2, 44 KOs).
Growing up in poverty and constantly fighting for survival, Tyson had been arrested 38 times by the time he turned 13. He ended up at the Tryon School for Boys in Johnstown, where his boxing interests caught the eye of former boxer turned counselor, ‘Irish’ Bobby Stewart. After training him for a few months, Stewart introduced him to Cus D’Amato, who took him under his wing.
Under D’Amato’s watchful eyes, Tyson won gold medals at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympic Games, defeating Joe Cortez in 1981 and beating Kelton Brown in 1982. He also won the Golden Gloves in 1984.
With a string of victories under his belt, Tyson turned pro at 18, facing Hector Mercedes, who was (0-3) at that time, as the undercard of the Kevin Rooney vs Garland Wright showdown.
While Mercedes landed a left hand barely a few seconds after the first round started, he quickly discovered that his opponent was ‘Kid Dynamite’ for a reason. Tyson came in guns blazing, throwing a volley of combinations. With Mercedes back in the corner, Tyson threw seven explosive punches that cemented the foundations of the legend and notoriety that followed him like a shadow. And among these punches was a destructive left hook that sent Mercedes to his name, making Tyson the winner by TKO at 1:47 in round 1.
The Aftermath
The boxing world knew that the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ was here to stay. He went on to repeat the magic 14 more times that year, an astronomical number regardless. He continued to have an unbeaten streak until 1990, reminding boxing aficionados that from the streets of Brownsville to the arena at the Madison Square Garden, his name would remain a permanent fixture. In fact, according to Tyson’s co-manager at the time, Jim Jacobs, “I believe sincerely that Mike creates an aura of invincibility,”
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