Mike Tyson was born on 30 June 1966 in Brooklyn, New York. The boxer, whose full name is Michael Gerard Tyson, had a tough background. Mike Tyson's father was a pimp whom he never knew, and his mother died when he was 16. His sister died in her twenties. As a boy, Mike Tyson was a member of a street gang and had the nickname, Fairy Boy, because of his lisp.

Tyson was taken in hand by boxing trainer, Cus d'Amato, and he made his professional debut in Albany, New York on 6 March 1985. Not long after d'Amato died, but on 22 November 1986 Mike Tyson became the youngest ever heavyweight boxing champion by beating Trevor Berbick to take the WBC heavyweight title. In 1987 by defeating James 'Bonecrusher' Smith and Tony Tucker, 'Iron' Mike Tyson secured the WBA and IBF titles.

Tyson's marriage to actress Robin Givens ended in divorce amid accusations of wife-beating. He also crashed his car and smashed up his home, and he lost his heavyweight crown to James 'Buster' Douglas on 11 February 1990 when he was knocked out in the tenth round.

Tyson was afflicted with more trouble in his personal life when in 1992, he was found guilty of raping Desiree Washington. During his three years sentence Tyson turned to Islam.

In 1996 Mike Tyson won the WBC title by beating Frank Bruno and the WBA title with an easy victory over Bruce Seldon. 1997 brought further controversy in the ring when Tyson was disqualified and banned for biting a chunk out of Evander Holyfield's ear. In 1999 Tyson returned to prison for assault. In 2004 Mike Tyson made a comeback but was knocked out in the fourth round by Danny Williams.

Mike Tyson has five children. His second marriage was to Monica Turner, but that ran into difficulties over claims he fathered a child by someone else.

In June 2005, Mike Tyson said he was going to quit boxing after a surprise defeat by Irishman Kevin McBride.

Credit: biogs.com