Iron Mike Hidden Hero: Tyson Shares The Unlikely Inspiration Behind His Boxing Career

Mike Tyson opens up about his idolization of Muhammed Ali even before he knew him

Mike Tyson is a former American professional boxer who competed between 1985 to 2024. Iron Mike and Kid Dynamite were some of his nicknames during his younger days.

Later he was known as the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’, he’s regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He was the undisputed world heavyweight champion for three years between 1987 to 1990. At just 20 years, Tyson claimed his first heavyweight belt and holds the title of the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title.

Speaking in a recent interview, Mike opened up about how he admired Muhammed Ali, he was inspired by the boxing legend way before he even knew him. “I worshipped him, I feel like I worshipped him! So that’s my mentor worshipping this guy, I’m going to worship whoever my mentor tells me to worship. When boxing found me, I knew I was going to be the best! The first day I saw Muhammed Ali, the greatest fighter that ever lived, just seeing him, I didn’t even know him. The way he walked like ‘I’m the greatest fighter in the world!’ How does that happen? You look at a guy and the next thing you know is that he inspires you. He doesn’t even have to say any word to you. You don’t even have to know him and you’re somewhere because of him and you worship him because if it wasn’t for him, it would never be you,” said Mike on Facebook video.

Tyson began he career on a high note, he won his first 19 fights by knockout, 12 of them didn’t go past the first round. He was the first boxer to simultaneously hold the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles. Unfortunately, he lost his heavyweight title when he was knocked out by underdog Buster Douglas in 1990, it was one of the biggest disappointments in the boxing history. Tyson was famous for his intimidating boxing styles and his controversial behavior inside and outside the ring. He also possessed great defensive abilities, holding his hands high and to slip under plus weave around his opponent’s punches as he timed his own.

A day earlier, Mike shared a video as he watched Coach Awadi training and showing off his boxing skills. “Coach Awadi dedicated his lifestyle to learning the Peek-a-boo style, love that he got the opportunity for Mike to watch,” said an X user. “Brother Mike Tyson’s technique was crafted specifically for him, instead of mimicking apply the same fighting logic that Cus D’amato did towards yourself. Work on your strengths and try to ensure you have an answer for your weaknesses,” added another X user. “This style is so overrated, it worked well for Tyson and Floyd Peterson that’s it, Tyson lost his biggest fights still with it,” concluded another X user.

After his fight with Jake Paul last year, Mike has been off the ring, at 59-years maybe it’s time for him to hang his boxing gloves, his current net worth is estimated to be $10 million, but it expected to increase after his last bout with Jake Paul which attracted millions of views on Netflix.