FROM THE ARCHIVE MIKE TYSON: THE LEGACY OF CUS D’AMATO By Nigel Collins
THE FOLLOWING INTERVIEW WAS CONDUCTED IN LATE 1985 AND APPEARED IN THE FEBRUARY 1986 ISSUE OF THE RING, WHICH FEATURED MIKE TYSON AS COVER STAR FOR THE FIRST TIME. SHAKEN BY THE DEATH OF HIS MENTOR, TYSON CONTINUES HIS QUEST FOR THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP. MIKE TYSON WAS SITTING IN A DARK room watching a videotape of Jack Johnson when a visitor arrived and suggested they watch a tape of Mike’s 10-month career next. It didn’t take long. Since his professional debut on March 6, 1985, Tyson has captured the imagination of the boxing world by streaking to 13 consecutive knockouts – and still counting. Nine of his victims have exited in the opening round. And while the debate continues as to whether he is a legend in the making, or just another built-up palooka who’ll fall apart the first time he faces a top-notch fighter, nobody is accusing Mike Tyson of being dull. Tyson watched the tape impassively and, for the most part, refrained from comment. One victory (over Donnie Long) was judged particularly pleasing because “everybody said he would give me trouble,” and another because “I heard he was a cop.” But as most of the knockouts flickered by, Mike was mute. In the time-honored tradition of strong, silent men from Samson to Sylvester Stallone, he let his fists do the talking. There is somewhat of a comic book quality about Tyson’s fights. When he hits opponents, they just don’t fall or slump to the mat. They fly across the ring, often bouncing off the ropes before crashing to the canvas. It’s a little like watching Popeye belt Brutus, or Batman plaster The Penguin. The violence is so exaggerated, it seems particularly surreal. The spectacular manner in which Tyson disposes of his ring adversaries is not the only thing that makes him something out
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