Why did Mike Tyson proclaim the death of his mother as ‘one of the best things’ to have ever happened to him?

Mike Tyson is a behemoth in the world of sports – after all, not just any fighter is informally referred to as the scariest man on the planet. Tyson, at 56, might still hold the claim to that tag.

However, as the saying goes, “diamonds are forged under pressure”, the same can be said of Mike Tyson’s early life and the consequent success that he went on to enjoy. Born to Lorna Smith Tyson, who he has detailed was involved in sex work, Tyson grew up in a very rough part of town, and the resultant experiences no doubt had a profound impact on him becoming a merciless finisher in the ring.

However, in a striking revelation, Tyson has revealed that the death of his mother is what probably had the greatest impact on him, making him who he became. He said, “You know, one of the best things that ever happened to me is that my mother died. Because my mother would have made me [a] baby. There’s no way I would have ever got into a street fight. No way I would ever learn to stand up for myself.”

Mike Tyson’s mother, Lorna Smith Tyson passed when the famous pugilist was all of 16 years of age – hence, no doubt, her death must have hit him really hard. Or, as he says it, it changed him for the better, suited more to the pursuits he would chase in his life. Despite his mother’s passing, his talent catalysed by the great Cus D’Amato, Tyson would go on to become one of the greatest legends of the sport, joining an elusive list of greats like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson.

Related- “Street fighter like me,” Mike Tyson reveals who his favourite fighter is, and it is not who you anticipate

Did Mike Tyson have a relationship with his mother and father?

Although they weren’t intimate by any stretch of the imagination, it could be fairly assumed that having a mother did have some psychological impact on the young Tyson, despite her passing when he was just 16. His father, on the other hand, was a completely different story.

Speaking on his own podcast/show, Mike Tyson revealed that he had no sort of relationship with his father, who only admitted to being his father after he had become a world champion! He also added that his father was ‘pretty dark’, as a personality. However, there is one line from Tyson, that really stood out – “I was kind to him, but he didn’t have much to tell me, you know?”

Also Read- “I feel like a b*tch,” Boxing legend Mike Tyson details the void retiring from boxing left in him

Returning to the crux of the matter, that is, his relationship with his mother, he said, “She was loving, but she was kind of aggressive. Never had her life together, never pretty much worked. Wasn’t afraid to really beat you…Drank heavily.” Hence, looking at the recollections with “Iron”, it can be safe to assume that the two didn’t really have any sort of emotional proximiy, as one would expect with their mother, despite her love.

Also Read- Who is Roberto Duran? The man nicknamed “Hands of Stone” for his TERRIFYING punches

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW