Unstoppable from the Start: How 12-Year-Old Mike Tyson Knocked Out Grown Men and Dominated the Boxing World

Michael Gerard Tyson was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1966. His early life was marked by hardship and struggle, growing up in a tough neighborhood that prepared him for the harsh realities of the world. Tyson’s mother, Lorna Mae (Smith) Tyson, raised him and his siblings after his biological father, Purcell Tyson, left the family. The absence of a father figure and the challenges of inner-city life quickly shaped young Mike’s character and future path.

Early Struggles and Natural Talent

From a young age, Tyson faced bullying due to his high-pitched voice and lisp. These taunts ignited a fighting spirit in him, and he began to defend himself fiercely. It wasn’t long before Tyson discovered his natural ability to fight. However, the violence and tumultuous street life led to frequent run-ins with the law, resulting in 38 arrests by the time he was just 13 years old.

Turning Point at Tryon School for Boys

Tyson’s criminal behavior eventually led to his placement in the Tryon School for Boys, a reform school in upstate New York. There, he met Bobby Stewart, a former amateur boxing champion who worked as a juvenile detention center counselor. Stewart recognized Tyson’s potential and agreed to teach him how to box, with the condition that Tyson would not use his newfound skills to harm other kids.

Stewart’s training revealed Tyson’s extraordinary boxing abilities. Impressed by the young fighter’s talent, Stewart introduced Tyson to the legendary boxing manager Constantine “Cus” D’Amato and veteran trainer Teddy Atlas.

The Early Days with D’Amato and Atlas

Teddy Atlas, in a recent interview with RingTV, recalled the first time he saw Tyson in action. “As far as most pure, God-given talent, raw, from the earliest stage that you saw, it would have to be a 12-year-old Tyson, who was 190 pounds but no fat,” Atlas said.

Tyson’s debut under D’Amato’s and Atlas’s guidance was nothing short of extraordinary. At just 12 years old, Tyson sparred with a 27-year-old professional fighter on his first day and managed to hold his own. Atlas remembered, “He had to impress me and Cus; he had to box his first day with a 27-year-old man who was a professional fighter and he was able to do that.”

A Prodigy in the Making

Atlas and D’Amato soon realized they had a prodigy on their hands. Tyson’s punches were powerful enough to knock out grown men, making it impossible to spar with kids his own age. Atlas noted, “Anyone who could be knocking out men when he’s 12, 13 years old is a pretty damn good puncher.”

Atlas further described Tyson’s unparalleled strength and punching power, stating, “When you’re developing a guy who’s 12-years-old, and you can’t put him in with kids to spar because there are none and so you’re hiring sparring partners, and they’re men, and he’s hurting them and knocking them out.”

Rise to Amateur Stardom

Under D’Amato’s mentorship, Tyson participated in amateur boxing matches and non-sanctioned fights, honing his skills against older and more experienced opponents. By 1981, at the age of 15, Tyson showcased his prowess at the Junior Olympic Games. In one memorable match against Joe Cortez, Tyson secured a victory in just nine seconds with a devastating left hook.

Conclusion

Mike Tyson’s journey from a troubled youth to a boxing sensation is a testament to his incredible talent and determination. The early years of knocking out grown men at the age of 12 were just the beginning of a legendary career that would see Tyson become one of the greatest boxers in history. His story is a powerful reminder of how raw talent, when properly guided and nurtured, can overcome even the toughest of circumstances to achieve greatness.