Sports Nicknames - Iron Mike

Mike Tyson is one of the most renowned athletes on the planet. Even with the ever-decreasing popularity of boxing, he still managed to create a name that is recognizable to most Americans - though not all from his boxing success.



Tyson began his professional career in 1985, beating Hector Mercedes via first-round TKO. It was during this early career that he picked up the nickname "Iron Mike". Tyson would continue winning a series of knockout victories, seemingly unable to be beaten by any opponents. In fact, he would not be beaten until 1990 when he fought Buster Douglas in Tokyo.

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons that people know Tyson's name is the infamy that comes with it. In 1991 he was arrested for the rape of 18-year-old Desiree Washington. He was found guilty and sentenced to 6 years in prison and 4 years of parole. However, he would serve less than 3 of these and was out boxing again by 1996.

Tyson's later career is mixed. Out of 12 bouts, he won 5, lost 5 and 2 were no contests. In 2003, Tyson filed for bankruptcy before retiring in 2005. Since then, he has done a few exhibition fights to raise money, but has never gotten back to his famous successes of the 80s and early 90s.

One of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, Tyson's name has been marred somewhat by personal choices and his crime of rape. Some point to the death of his mentor Cus D'Amato for this downward spiral in life choices. However, without any proof, it is hard to say exactly what might have happened had Tyson chosen a less controversial and expensive path.

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