Mike Tyson releases new book dedicated to Cus D’Amato – says if Cus hadn’t died when he did, “there would have been no Don King”

Mike Tyson releases new book dedicated to Cus D'Amato – says if Cus hadn't died when he did, “there would have been no Don King”

Mike Tyson knows full well he owes all his ring success to one man, Cus D’Amato, and, as is evident in the former heavyweight king’s new book: “Iron Ambition,” Tyson has never forgotten it. The new book, released today, is the youngest ever heavyweight champion’s written tribute to his legendary father figure/trainer/mentor and it promises to be a truly great read.

The book not only focuses on D’Amato’s time with Tyson but also on Cus’ life before “Iron Mike;” back in the 1950s when the eccentric but genius trainer was guiding the likes of Floyd Patterson and fighting the mob.

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Video: Top 20 Heavyweights since 1924

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC8sAf0ROwE

Who are the best heavyweights in boxing history? This timeless question has been a recipe for countless discussions. The long running debate is something that has captivated boxing fans and historians alike. Ranking athletes from different eras is a tricky business that usually boils down to personal preference and opinion, and this is just as true in professional boxing as it is in any other organized professional sport.

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Documentary: A brief chronology of the 1990s heavyweight division

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The 1990s was one of the greatest decades in the history of professional boxing. It had some of the highest regarded champions of all time, some of the best match-ups of all time, the biggest upset in sports history, one of the most amazing trilogies ever, and a slew of talented and entertaining boxers who helped make this such a magical time in heavyweight history.

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James “Buster” Douglas: for one night only

James “Buster” Douglas: for one night only

27 years ago today it happened: Mike Tyson, the “unbeatable” heavyweight king, was sensationally beaten up, defeated and knocked out in what still ranks as the biggest sporting upset in history. Whopping great 42-1 underdog James “Buster” Douglas pulled off the almighty stunner; a shock so great it commanded front page status on just about every newspaper on the planet the following day.

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Thirty years on: Tyson makes history with win over Berbick

Thirty years on: Tyson makes history with win over Berbick

It really was 30 long years ago this week (November 22) when a young, soon to peak Mike Tyson made boxing history by becoming, at the age of 20, the youngest ever claimant of a world heavyweight title.

Tyson, who had been a pro for just 20 months, challenged WBC champ Trevor Berbick in Las Vegas and those in attendance witnessed a quite brutal coronation.

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The 30 Greatest KO’s of the last thirty years in boxing

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Fight fans may have read how the folks at Showtime are currently looking to compile a poll, listing the 30 greatest KO’s shown on the network over the last 30 years. A lofty task indeed, even if they get fans’ help.

Indeed, this great sport has produced many thrilling, moving, shocking and even unforgettable knockouts throughout its history. It is of course the possibility of an electrifying, lights out KO that gives boxing its edge, the chance of a KO pulling in the fans.

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No truth to Mike Tyson-Bobby Gunn bare-knuckle “super-fight” rumours

No truth to Mike Tyson-Bobby Gunn bare-knuckle “super-fight” rumours

Fight fans might have read the various stories that suggested Bobby Gunn was set to face boxing star Mike Tyson in a bare-knuckle “super-fight” that would go out on pay-per-view. The story began who knows where but it picked up momentum and even RingTV.com has a piece on it. But Michael Woods of The Bible of Boxing has done us all a favor by quashing the rumors once and for all.

Woods got hold of former pro/turned bare-knuckle king Gunn, and though Gunn said he would “love to” fight the former world champion, a Tyson spokesman informed Woods that “There’s no truth to it.”

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George Foreman on what would have happened had he fought Mike Tyson

George Foreman on what would have happened had he fought Mike Tyson

“What f*****g excitement!” a well known boxing promoter speaking in 1990 on the possibility of a Mike Tyson-George Foreman super-fight

It remains one of the most talked about “dream fights,” or super-fights that never took place. It is the biggest of all heavyweight collisions: George Foreman Vs. Mike Tyson. The fight came close to happening in the early 1990s, but, as living legend Foreman recently explained when speaking on the CBS Sports radio show Brown and Scoop, for some reason the fight didn’t happen: “I couldn’t get him, I just don’t know why,” Foreman said. “I tried.”

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Will we ever see another undisputed heavyweight champion?

Will we ever see another undisputed heavyweight champion?

Today in 1987, a peaking Mike Tyson unified all three world heavyweight titles: the WBC/WBA and IBF belts being his property after a perhaps tougher than expected 12-round points win over a skilled Tony Tucker. Tyson was still not THE absolute and undisputed heavyweight king, as Michael Spinks, the undefeated former 175-pound king who had moved up in weight to shock Larry Holmes two years earlier, was still the lineal ruler.

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