Mike Tyson’s unlikely Hall of Fame induction coming true this Sunday

Mike Tyson Hall of Fame Induction This Sunday

Mike Tyson had an incredible rise in boxing after becoming the youngest heavyweight champion ever at the age of 20 in 1986. Over his exciting and sometimes controversial career, he had posted a 50-6 record, 44 coming by way of devastating knockouts that had been his trademark.

All the professional defeats and personal disgrace won't matter on Sunday, as Mike Tyson is inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York just three weeks before he turns 45.

"I am honored," Mike Tyson said. "The sport of boxing has given me so much and it is truly a blessing to be acknowledged alongside other boxing legends because they paved the way for me, as I hope I have inspired others."

Among this year's inductees are Julio Cesar Chavez, referee Joe Cortez, actor Sylvester Stallone of "Rocky" fame, trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain and Russian-born Australian boxer Kostya Tszyu.

Four years after becoming the youngest champion in the division, Mike Tyson was upset and knocked out in the 10th round by James "Buster" Douglas in Tokyo. The downward spiral of "Iron Mike" continued when in 1992, the Brooklyn native was convicted of rape and served three years in prison.

Mike Tyson then mounted a comeback and regained the heavyweight title. But he lost to boxing great Evander Holyfield in 1996 and again in 1997. Tyson infamously bit the ear of Holyfield in their rematch, an act which earned him a one-year suspension.

He continued to fight into the 2000s, but Father Time has caught up with Mike Tyson, who lost his final fight in 2005 to Kevin McBride.

Mike Tyson has underwent quite a transformation in recent years. Images of a gentler, calmer Tyson caring for pigeons and expressing remorse for his past actions are what viewers see nowadays, an apt preparation for his Hall of Fame induction.

Posted by Andre Monohan on Saturday June 11 2011, 5:21 AM EST. Ref: AFP. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0