2016/09/23 20:49
みなさん こんにちは、
やっと帰ってきました。トロントも東京にははるかに及ばないにせよ、結構な「通勤・通学ラッシュ」。一応カナダ「最大の都市」なんでしょう。本日は朝から雨。でも大分涼しくなりました。これで案外そのまま「冬」になだれこむかもしれない。この季節になるとだんだん落ち着いてくるのは毎年のこと。それにしても最近「グチ」ばかり。「治療師」の仕事は疲れる・・・。こういうときはいつもiPodで「ダマト・タイソン」(21歳まで)のあらゆるものを見るのがある種の癖になっています。
はじめに:
一般の人にはまだまだなじみが深いひとりなのでは。そう察しますがいかがでしょう?周知のとおり。日本には2度きました。88年(21)と90年(23)。ただあれほど「ちがった」人物となって現れたのもめずらしいかもしれない。純粋に「ボクシング」以外の面でも、「異質」になっていた。一般の視聴者の方々には伝わらなかったのはやむを得ないこと(なにせ日本放送は、「長嶋茂雄氏」と「薬師丸ひろ子女史」、アメリカ放送は「小錦」と相撲をとり、はじめの奥さんといっしょに「チャンコ鍋」を食べている「How do they get bigger with these? I eat these just on my diet」(魚、鶏と野菜だけ)これでどうやって大きくなるんだ?減量のときしか食べない」と奥さんと横にいる小錦に目をパチクリさせながら尋ねてる若武者タイソンでした。小錦は「A training」(稽古だよ)と答えていたけど理解しておらず(笑)。
ーおそらく現在は「パンチドランカー」だと思います(打たれ過ぎました)。21歳までほとんど当てさせなかった。きれいな顔をしていました。現在はボコボコ、鼻はつぶれ顔も歪んでしまった。
ーかつて「少年」のように甲高い声でペラペラ早口で話した頃は別人のよう。重苦しい口調でしどろもどろ低音で話す。言っていることは「不明」になるときも少なからず。北米では「ム所」暮らし「塀の中」が増えれば増えるほど「刺青」が多くなります(牢屋の中でやることは1、喧嘩沙汰2、重量上げ(ウエートトレーニング)3、各種「賭けトランプ」4、読書・学習・・・に「趣味」が続く(ほかにやることがないから=「刺青」)。
ー顔面の刺青はまわりに評判が悪かったから途中でやめただけ。実に中途半端なまま。左肩に黒人英雄テニス・プレーヤーアーサー・アーシュ、右に毛沢東(暴行事件ではじめの服役)。右腹にチェ・ゲバラ(再び収監されたとき)。その後が中断した「顔面」・・・さびしいですね(苦笑)。
不幸な人生:
ータイソンは現在、3度の結婚(バツサン)が破局に終わり。今、「四度目」。8人の子持ち。残念ながら4~5年前、娘さんが「首吊り自殺」をしてタイソンが見つけ。一生懸命人工呼吸をしたけど結局蘇生できず。近年の言葉「わたしは一文無しだ・・・恥ずべきこと。むかしは楽しかった・・・たくさんいい思いをした・・・しかし今の現実はちがう・・・」(おそらく合計手取り「300億」円は稼いだでしょう。ニューヨークはじめいろんなところに「廃墟」となた「豪邸」がそのまま狐狸の巣となり放っておかれたまま)。
ーこういうこともあんまり筋がとおった形で話せない・・・ダメージが感じられる・・・悲しいしさびしいですね・・・。
ー教護院に叩き込まれていた13歳でボクシングをはじめた。たちまちアマチュアで注目される。しかし当時のタイソンの映像を見るとよく試合前。涙を流していた。不幸な育ちで情緒不安定。本当は弱くて、繊細な性格なんです。当時のトレーナー・テディ・アトラス氏(アイルランド系・タイソンとおなじく元チンピラ・荒くれもの・前科モノで二度のむ所暮らし・元ボクサーであり故カス・ダマト門下の若きトレーナーとして更正した)が後姿にさびしさと悲しみ漂う二倍も大きい。泣き顔のタイソンを「大丈夫だ。力をぬけ」と太い首に腕をまわしながら肩をポンポンとたたきながらなだめ。しばらく沈黙・・・場所はニューヨーク郊外の「青年センター」。アマチュア時代、アトラスはおもむろに「よしっ、行くぞっ!」タイソンはたちまち「戦う男」の顔に変わる(試合は初回、一発KOでタイソンが勝つ)。
ーアトラスとは17歳のとき、ケンカ別れ。この間、約30年ぶりに解説者席に座るすっかり老いたアトラスと和解した。がっちり握手し面と向かって言葉を交わし、謝罪したタイソン。アトラスはまだ「兄貴分」そのものまた「大丈夫だ」と抱擁していて。感動し、涙がでました。何回も戻してみた。今度はその後のトレーナー同じく兄弟子だったルーニー氏と和解してくれたら。祈るような気持ちながらこちらはそう簡単ではない(おそらく不可能なほどこじれてしまった)。
Michael Gerard "Mike" Tyson (/ˈtaɪsən/; born June 30, 1966), also known as Malik Abdul Aziz,[4][5] is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. He held the undisputed heavyweight championship and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles at 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old.[6] Tyson won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round. He won the WBC title in 1986 after stopping Trevor Berbick in two rounds. In 1987, Tyson added the WBA and IBF titles after defeating James Smith and Tony Tucker. This made him the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles, and the only heavyweight to successively unify them.In 1988, Tyson became the lineal champion when he knocked out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds of the first round. Tyson successfully defended the world heavyweight championship nine times, including victories over Larry Holmes and Frank Bruno. In 1990, he lost his titles to underdog Buster Douglas, who knocked Tyson out in the tenth round. Attempting to regain the titles, Tyson defeated Donovan Ruddock twice in 1991, but pulled out of a fight with then-undisputed heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield (who had defeated Douglas later in 1990) due to injury. In 1992, Tyson was convicted of rape and sentenced to six years in prison, but was released after serving three years. After his release in 1995, he engaged in a series of comeback fights. He won the WBC and WBA titles in 1996, after defeating Frank Bruno and Bruce Seldon by knockout. With his defeat of Bruno, Tyson joined Floyd Patterson, Muhammad Ali, Tim Witherspoon, Evander Holyfield, and George Foreman, as the only men in boxing history to have regained a heavyweight championship after having lost it. After being stripped of the WBC title in the same year, Tyson lost the WBA title to Evander Holyfield by an eleventh-round stoppage. Their infamous 1997 rematch ended when Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield's ears.In 2002, Tyson fought for the world heavyweight title at the age of 35, losing by knockout to Lennox Lewis. Tyson retired from professional boxing in 2006, after being knocked out in consecutive matches against Danny Williams and Kevin McBride. Tyson declared bankruptcy in 2003, despite having received over $30 million for several of his fights and $300 million during his career. At the time it was reported that he had approximately $23 million of debt.[7] Tyson was well known for his ferocious and intimidating boxing style as well as his controversial behavior inside and outside the ring. Nicknamed "Iron",[8] and "Kid Dynamite" in his early career and later known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet",[9] Tyson is considered one of the best heavyweights of all time.[10] He was ranked No. 16 on The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time,[11] and No. 1 in the ESPN.com list of "The hardest hitters in heavyweight history".[12] Sky Sports rated him as "the scariest boxer ever" and described him as "perhaps the most ferocious fighter to step into a professional ring."[13] He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
はじめてのタイソン:
ーなるべく例の「同人誌」語調は避けるよう心がけますのでよろしく☆タイソンについてはまったく知らなかった。16歳の頃、全然関係ない仲間から「民放チャンネル」ですごいのがいる。てっきり当時イギリスの英雄だった黒人世界ランカーフランク・ブルーノ(後にタイソンに二戦二敗(二KO負け)・デビュー以来25連続KO無敗)かな?でもブルーノならそんな民放のテレビに出るはずもない。
ーそれから「東京テレビ」で特集があった。正直びっくりしてしまった。そこで日本人レポーターのインタビューに答えた若干18歳のタイソン(19連続KO勝ち無敗=25勝(23KO))
「もしぼくが世界チャンピオンになったらぜひ日本で試合をしたいと思ってます。バア~イ」と言葉少なく語り笑顔をみせていた映像が懐かしい。
ーそれから当時はまさか自分がその国の人間になるなど露ほども感じていなかった。土方建設業時代。残念ながら10年以上前に保険金がらみの事件で甥に殺されてしまったジャマイカ系カナダ人の故トレバー・バービック(ノバスコシア州・ハリファックス出身(*注)・引退後、日本で「リングス」の高田と対戦。初回蹴りまくられてあっさりギブアップ=プロレスファンを憤慨させた)を豪快に倒してチャンピオンとなる(ヘビー級、最年少・20歳(アリの21歳を破った)。
当時のタイソンとニューヨーク・キャットスキル:
ー「東京テレビ」の「マニア向け」とは別に、先がけて民放番組でも特集されていた。インタビューに答える19歳のタイソン。飾り気のない、あどけない青年に過ぎなかった。師匠のカス・ダマトはすでに逝去。ボクサーになる前は何になりたかったか?「ギャング」といってはにかんでいたのも遠いむかしの話になりました。
ー当時から確かに「女癖」は悪くいつも3~4人の「彼女たち?」に囲まれ「両手に花」。しかしボクサーとしては真面目一本やり。毎朝4時におきて約6キロのロードワーク。がんばって毎日練習してました(この当時のトレーニング方法のまま来日したのが88年。91年はすべて「別のもの」。同じだったのは練習とロードワーク以外はほとんど外に出ず。ホテルの部屋にひとりこもり。ひたすら「ジャッキー・チェン」のカンフー映画をみていたこと)それ以外は故ダマト(肺炎をこじらせて病死する一年前正式「養子縁組」・いまさらながらダマトがもう少し生きていれば・・・)の家で鳩をたくさんかってたわむれていた。あどけない後姿も思い出す。近所の人たちに道であいさつされても気さくに応じていた。
ーおそらく日本の方々。特に若い人たちの印象にある「タイソン」は変貌して暴力的。罵詈雑言を吐く別の姿ではないでしょうか?(苦笑)。アメリカ軍人で横須賀に兄が駐屯していた。それについても聞かれ「そうなんです。どこにいるか知らないのですが、もし日本に行ったら是非会いたい」(後にタイソンが王者になってから「同人誌」でインタビューが載せられた。まじなイチ軍人でした)。また再開します☆ サム 少し元気がでてきました=「拳闘こそ我命」まさしく)。
(*注)私もハリファックスは二度ほど行ったことがある。モントリオールからバスで1日半。当時の「観光バス」(グレイ・ハウンド)はもっと衛生状況も悪く。特にアメリカはひどかった)。この間行ったメイン州・ポートランドにそっくり気候も似ている港街。ただ当時は(おそらく今も変わらないだろう)おっとりきさくだったアメリカ人に比べて「偏見・閉鎖的」でアジア人はほとんどおらず。冷え冷えとあしらわれた(これは西部アルバータ州・カルガリーもいっしょ)。カナダは一般に「保守的」なんです(ただ一概にはいえないにせよ。はじめはどこでも「つっけんとう」に感じるけど「なれる」と深い友人関係になれる。アメリカ人は「派手」で「仰々しい」反面「広く浅く」の傾向あり)。
ー偶然にも、その当時は知る余地もなかったけど。私の「専攻」にとって非常に重要なことも起っていた。つまり1917年、亡命地ベルギーで「2月革命」の報を耳にしたトロツキー一家がアメリカ経由で祖国への航海中。イギリス軍にハリファックスで強制下船させられ。帝政ドイツ軍俘虜収容所内に1カ月抑留された(この顛末については別の「歴史・政治」でいずれ詳しく☆23歳のとき、再びハリファックを訪れたとき歴訪しました)。例によって「革命機運?」(時代錯誤(苦笑))にひっぱり込まれるのもいつものこと(失礼しました☆)。
Amateur career
Tyson won gold medals at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympic Games, defeating Joe Cortez in 1981 and beating Kelton Brown in 1982. Brown's corner threw in the towel in the first round. He holds the Junior Olympic record for quickest knockout (8 seconds). He won every bout at the Junior Olympic Games by knockout.He fought Henry Tillman twice as an amateur, losing both bouts by decision. Tillman went on to win heavyweight gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[29]
相次ぐ不幸・義父ダマトと兄貴分ジェイブスの死:
ースピンクスを初回でノックアウト。すでにタイソンの生活環境はまったく変化していた。初妻のギブンスとはわずか「8ヶ月」で離婚。くりかえしタイソンの「暴行沙汰」が問題にされ。トークショーにも夫婦揃って出演。ギブンスはタイソンの「躁鬱病」を指摘。戸惑った少年のような表情をして聞き入っていたタイソンを思い出す。
ーダマトの死よりある意味ジェイカブス(13歳よりタイソンを商売パートナーであるケイトンといっしょに援助)の死は決定的だった。ケイトンは「資金面」調達の係りであり、タイソンとは直接ほとんど接していなかった。
ージェイカブスはまさに「親分」であり。ドン・キングにしろほかの取り巻きにしろジェイカブスがいたころは誰一人タイソンに近づけなかった。
ーただスピンクス戦においてギブンス(後ろでドン・キングと母親が音頭をとり陰謀をめぐらしたと大衆には理解された)が映像に現れるや激しいブーイングと野次が飛んだ(市民会館に設置された「有料大スクリーン」でみた私の会場でもすさまじい騒乱ぶり)。これが今もってしてギブンス(タイソンに約「26億円」の慰謝料を請求)の生涯に否定的に作用したといえる。特に女優ギブンスは「黒人」たち(とりわけ「女性」層)の支持を失ってしまった。みなタイソンに同情していた。
ー事実、ジェイカブスが急病死(58歳の若さ)するまでタイソンは後の「贅沢三昧」「散財放蕩」とは無縁の質素な生活をしていたに過ぎない。「おカネ」のことなど構わず。相変わらず「キャットスキル」の旧ダマト家で「鳩」たちといっしょに暮らしていた青年に過ぎなかった。
Rise to stardom
Main article: Trevor Berbick vs. Mike TysonTyson made his professional debut as an 18-year-old on March 6, 1985, in Albany, New York. He defeated Hector Mercedes via a first round knockout.[20] He had 15 bouts in his first year as a professional. Fighting frequently, Tyson won 26 of his first 28 fights by KO or TKO; 16 of those came in the first round.[30] The quality of his opponents gradually increased to journeyman fighters and borderline contenders,[30] like James Tillis, David Jaco, Jesse Ferguson, Mitch Green and Marvis Frazier. His win streak attracted media attention and Tyson was billed as the next great heavyweight champion. D'Amato died in November 1985, relatively early into Tyson's professional career, and some speculate that his death was the catalyst to many of the troubles Tyson was to experience as his life and career progressed.[31]Tyson's first nationally televised bout took place on February 16, 1986, at Houston Field House in Troy, New York against journeyman heavyweight Jesse Ferguson. Tyson knocked down Ferguson with an uppercut in the fifth round that broke Ferguson's nose.[32] During the sixth round, Ferguson began to hold and clinch Tyson in an apparent attempt to avoid further punishment. After admonishing Ferguson several times to obey his commands to box, the referee finally stopped the fight near the middle of the sixth round. The fight was initially ruled a win for Tyson by disqualification (DQ) of his opponent. The ruling was "adjusted" to a win by technical knockout (TKO) after Tyson's corner protested that a DQ win would end Tyson's string of knockout victories, and that a knockout would have been the inevitable result. The rationale offered for the revised outcome was that the fight was actually stopped because Ferguson could not (rather than would not) continue boxing.On November 22, 1986, Tyson was given his first title fight against Trevor Berbick for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight championship. Tyson won the title by second round TKO, and at the age of 20 years and 4 months became the youngest heavyweight champion in history.[33] Tyson's dominant performance brought many accolades. Donald Saunders wrote: "The noble and manly art of boxing can at least cease worrying about its immediate future, now [that] it has discovered a heavyweight champion fit to stand alongside Dempsey, Tunney, Louis, Marciano and Ali."[34]Because of Tyson's strength, many fighters were intimidated by him.[35] This was backed up by his outstanding hand speed, accuracy, coordination, power, and timing. Tyson was also noted for his defensive abilities.[36] Holding his hands high in the Peek-a-Boo style taught by his mentor Cus D'Amato,[37] he slipped and weaved out of the way of the opponent's punches while closing the distance to deliver his own punches.[36] One of Tyson's trademark combinations was a right hook to his opponent's body followed by a right uppercut to his opponent's chin; very few boxers would remain standing if caught by this combination. Lorenzo Boyd, Jesse Ferguson and Jose Ribalta were among the boxers knocked down by the combination.
ー日本に初来日。奥さんも後から続いた。2回KO勝ちの快勝。これがタイソンの全盛期最後の試合となったといえる。帰国後、たびたび問題を起す。前妻ロビンの仕事に同行してモスクワ訪問。ロビンは繰り返しタイソンは躁鬱病だといいだした。しかしボクサーは試合前は神経が過敏になる。張り詰めてぎりぎりまで闘志を高め試合にのぞむ。勝てば嬉しさと解放から歓喜。すなわち「躁」という状態になる。これを「精神病」と決めつけるのは理解が足りないと悲しい。
ー帰国後、タイソンはロビンと大ゲンカ(したとされる)。その直後、自宅近辺で交通事故を起し木に激突。
Undisputed champion
See also: Mike Tyson vs. James Smith, Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tucker, and Mike Tyson vs. Michael SpinksExpectations for Tyson were extremely high, and he embarked on an ambitious campaign to fight all of the top heavyweights in the world. Tyson defended his title against James Smith on March 7, 1987, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He won by unanimous decision and added Smith's World Boxing Association (WBA) title to his existing belt.[38] 'Tyson mania' in the media was becoming rampant.[39] He beat Pinklon Thomas in May with a knockout in the sixth round.[40] On August 1 he took the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title from Tony Tucker in a twelve round unanimous decision.[41] He became the first heavyweight to own all three major belts – WBA, WBC, and IBF – at the same time. Another fight, in October of that year, ended with a victory for Tyson over 1984 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Tyrell Biggs by knockout in the seventh round.[42]
During this time, Tyson came to the attention of gaming company Nintendo. After witnessing one of Tyson's fights, Nintendo of America president Minoru Arakawa was impressed by the fighter's "power and skill", prompting him to suggest Tyson be included in the upcoming Nintendo Entertainment System port of the Punch Out!! arcade game. In 1987, Nintendo released Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, which was well received and sold more than a million copies.[43]Tyson had three fights in 1988. He faced Larry Holmes on January 22, 1988, and defeated the legendary former champion by a fourth round KO.[44] This was the only knockout loss Holmes suffered in 75 professional bouts. In March, Tyson then fought contender Tony Tubbs in Tokyo, Japan, fitting in an easy two-round victory amid promotional and marketing work.[45]On June 27, 1988, Tyson faced Michael Spinks. Spinks, who had taken the heavyweight championship from Larry Holmes via a 15-round decision in 1985, had not lost his title in the ring but was not recognized as champion by the major boxing organizations. Holmes had previously given up all but the IBF title, and that was eventually stripped from Spinks after he elected to fight Gerry Cooney (winning by a 5th-round TKO) rather than IBF Number 1 Contender Tony Tucker, as the Cooney fight provided him a larger purse. However, Spinks did become the lineal champion by beating Holmes and many (including Ring magazine) considered him to have a legitimate claim to being the true heavyweight champion. The bout was, at the time, the richest fight in history and expectations were very high. Boxing pundits were predicting a titanic battle of styles, with Tyson's aggressive infighting conflicting with Spinks' skillful out-boxing and footwork. The fight ended after 91 seconds when Tyson knocked Spinks out in the first round; many consider this to be the pinnacle of Tyson's fame and boxing ability.[46][47] Spinks, previously unbeaten, would never fight professionally again.
Controversy and upset
Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Buster DouglasDuring this period, Tyson's problems outside boxing were also starting to emerge. His marriage to Robin Givens was heading for divorce,[48] and his future contract was being fought over by Don King and Bill Cayton.[49] In late 1988, Tyson parted with manager Bill Cayton and fired longtime trainer Kevin Rooney, the man many credit for honing Tyson's craft after the death of D'Amato.[36][50] Following Rooney's departure, critics alleged that Tyson began to use the Peek-a-Boo style sporadically.[51] Tyson insisted he hadn't altered the style that made him a world champion.[52] In 1989, Tyson had only two fights amid personal turmoil. He faced the popular British boxer Frank Bruno in February. Bruno managed to stun Tyson at the end of the 1st round,[53] although Tyson went on to knock out Bruno in the fifth round. Tyson then knocked out Carl "The Truth" Williams in one round in July.[54]By 1990, Tyson seemed to have lost direction, and his personal life was in disarray amidst reports of less vigorous training prior to the Douglas match.[55] In a fight on February 11, 1990, he lost the undisputed championship to Buster Douglas in Tokyo.[56] Tyson was a huge betting favorite; indeed, the Mirage, the only casino to put out odds for the fight, made Tyson a 42/1 favorite. However, Douglas was at an emotional peak after losing his mother to a stroke 23 days prior to the fight; Douglas fought the fight of his life.[56] Contrary to reports that Tyson was out of shape, it has been noted at the time of the fight that he had pronounced muscles, an absence of body fat and weighed 220 and 1/2 pounds, only two pounds more than he had weighed when he beat Michael Spinks 20 months earlier.[57] Mentally, however, Tyson was unprepared. He failed to find a way past Douglas's quick jab that had a 12-inch (30 cm) reach advantage over his own.[58] Tyson did catch Douglas with an uppercut in the eighth round and knocked him to the floor, but Douglas recovered sufficiently to hand Tyson a heavy beating in the subsequent two rounds. (After the fight, the Tyson camp would complain that the count was slow and that Douglas had taken longer than ten seconds to get to his feet.)[59] Just 35 seconds into the 10th round, Douglas unleashed a brutal uppercut, followed by a four-punch combination of hooks that sent Tyson to the canvas for the first time in his career. He was counted out by referee Octavio Meyran.[56]The knockout victory by Douglas over Tyson, the previously undefeated "baddest man on the planet" and arguably the most feared boxer in professional boxing at that time, has been described as one of the most shocking upsets in modern sports history.[60][61]
After Douglas
Main articles: Mike Tyson vs. Henry Tillman, Mike Tyson vs. Alex Stewart, Mike Tyson vs. Donovan Ruddock, and Mike Tyson vs. Donovan Ruddock IIAfter the loss, Tyson recovered with first-round knockouts of Henry Tillman[62] and Alex Stewart[63] in his next two fights. Tyson's victory over Tillman, the 1984 Olympic heavyweight gold medalist, enabled Tyson to avenge his amateur losses at Tillman's hands. These bouts set up an elimination match for another shot at the undisputed world heavyweight championship, which Evander Holyfield had taken from Douglas in his first defense of the title.Tyson, who was the number one contender, faced number two contender Donovan "Razor" Ruddock on March 18, 1991, in Las Vegas. Ruddock was seen as the most dangerous heavyweight around and was thought of as one of the hardest punching heavyweights. Tyson and Ruddock went back and forth for most of the fight, until referee Richard Steele controversially stopped the fight during the seventh round in favor of Tyson. This decision infuriated the fans in attendance, sparking a post-fight melee in the audience. The referee had to be escorted from the ring.[64]Tyson and Ruddock met again on June 28 that year, with Tyson knocking down Ruddock twice and winning a 12 round unanimous decision.[65] A fight between Tyson and Holyfield for the undisputed championship was scheduled for November 8, 1991 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, but Tyson pulled out after sustaining a rib cartilage injury during training.
Rape conviction, prison, and conversion
Tyson was arrested in July 1991 for the rape of 18-year-old Desiree Washington, Miss Black Rhode Island, in an Indianapolis hotel room. Tyson's rape trial took place in the Marion County superior court from January 26, 1992 to February 10, 1992.Desiree Washington testified that she received a phone call from Tyson at 1:36 am on July 19, 1991 inviting her to a party. Having joined Tyson in his limousine, Washington testified that Tyson made sexual advances towards her. She testified that upon arriving at his hotel room, Tyson pinned her down on his bed and raped her despite her pleas to stop. She ran out of the room and asked Tyson's chauffeur to drive her back to her hotel.[citation needed] Partial corroboration of Washington's story came via testimony from Tyson's chauffeur, Virginia Foster, who confirmed Desiree Washington's state of shock. Further testimony came from Thomas Richardson, the emergency room physician who examined Washington more than 24 hours after the incident and confirmed that Washington's physical condition was consistent with rape.[66]Under lead defense lawyer Vincent J. Fuller's direct examination, Tyson claimed that everything had taken place with Washington's full cooperation and he claimed not to have forced himself upon her. When he was cross-examined by lead prosecutor Gregory Garrison, Tyson denied claims that he had misled Washington and insisted that she wanted to have sex with him. Because of Tyson's hostile and defensive responses to the questions during cross-examination, some have speculated that his behavior made him unlikable to the jury who saw him as brutish and arrogant.[67] Tyson was convicted on the rape charge on February 10, 1992 after the jury deliberated for nearly 10 hours.[68]
Alan Dershowitz, acting as Tyson's counsel, filed an appeal urging error of law in the Court's exclusion of evidence of the victim's past sexual conduct, the exclusion of three potential defense witnesses, and the lack of a jury instruction on honest and reasonable mistake of fact.[69] The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled against Tyson in a 2–1 vote.[69]
On March 26, 1992, Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison followed by four years on probation.[70] In spite of being 25 years old at the time he committed the rape, he was assigned to the Indiana Youth Center (now the Plainfield Correctional Facility) in April 1992,[71] and he was released in March 1995 after serving less than three years of his six-year sentence.[72] Hakeem Olajuwon claims that during his incarceration, Tyson converted to Islam.[73]Due to his conviction, Tyson is required to register as a tier II sex offender under federal law.[74][75][76][77][78] As of May, 2016, he is so registered, as Michael Tyson, in Henderson, Nevada.
Comeback
Main articles: Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley; Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis, Jr.; Frank Bruno vs. Mike Tyson II; and Bruce Seldon vs. Mike TysonAfter being paroled from prison, Tyson easily won his comeback bouts against Peter McNeeley and Buster Mathis Jr.. Tyson's first comeback fight grossed more than US$96 million worldwide, including a United States record $63 million for PPV television. The fight was purchased by 1.52 million homes, setting both PPV viewership and revenue records.[79] The 89-second fight elicited criticism that Tyson's management lined up "tomato cans" to ensure easy victories for his return.[80] TV Guide included the Tyson-McNeeley fight in their list of the 50 Greatest TV Sports Moments of All Time in 1998.[81]Tyson regained one belt by easily winning the WBC title from Frank Bruno in March 1996. It was the second fight between the two, and Tyson knocked Bruno out in the third round.[82] Tyson added the WBA belt by defeating champion Bruce Seldon in one round in September that year. Seldon was severely criticized and mocked in the popular press for seemingly collapsing to innocuous punches from Tyson.[83]
Personal life
Tyson resides in Seven Hills, Nevada.[158] He has been married three times. He has fathered seven children, one deceased, by three women; in addition to his biological children, Tyson includes the oldest daughter of his second wife as one of his own.[159]
His first marriage was to actress Robin Givens, from February 7, 1988 to February 14, 1989.[48] Givens was famous for her work on the sitcom Head of the Class. Tyson's marriage to Givens was especially tumultuous, with allegations of violence, spousal abuse and mental instability on Tyson's part.[160] Matters came to a head when Tyson and Givens gave a joint interview with Barbara Walters on the ABC TV newsmagazine show 20/20 in September 1988, in which Givens described life with Tyson as "torture, pure hell, worse than anything I could possibly imagine."[161] Givens also described Tyson as "manic depressive" on national television while Tyson looked on with an intent and calm expression.[160] A month later, Givens announced that she was seeking a divorce from the allegedly abusive Tyson.[160] They had no children but she reported having had a miscarriage; Tyson reports that she was never pregnant and only used that to get him to marry her.[160][162] During their marriage, the couple lived in a mansion in Bernardsville, New Jersey.[163][164]His second marriage was to Monica Turner from April 19, 1997 to January 14, 2003.[165] At the time of the divorce filing, Turner worked as a pediatric resident at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.[166] She is the sister of Michael Steele, the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and former Republican National Committee Chairman.[167] Turner filed for divorce from Tyson in January 2002, claiming that he committed adultery during their five-year marriage, an act that "has neither been forgiven nor condoned."[166] The couple had two children; son Amir, and daughter Rayna.On May 25, 2009, Tyson's four-year-old daughter Exodus was found by her seven-year-old brother Miguel, unconscious and tangled in a cord, dangling from an exercise treadmill. The child's mother untangled her, administered CPR and called for medical attention. She died of her injuries on May 26, 2009.[168][169]Eleven days after his daughter's death, Tyson wed for the third time, to longtime girlfriend Lakiha "Kiki" Spicer, age 32, exchanging vows on Saturday, June 6, 2009, in a short, private ceremony at the La Bella Wedding Chapel at the Las Vegas Hilton.[170] They have two children; daughter, Milan, and son, Morocco.[159]Tyson has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.[171] While on the American talk show The View in early May 2010, Tyson revealed that he is now forced to live paycheck to paycheck.[172] He went on to say: "I'm totally destitute and broke. But I have an awesome life, I have an awesome wife who cares about me. ... I'm totally broke. I had a lot of fun. It [going broke] just happened. I'm very grateful. I don't deserve to have the wife that I have; I don't deserve the kids that I have, but I do, and I'm very grateful."[172]In March 2011, Tyson appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss his new Animal Planet reality series, Taking on Tyson. In the interview with DeGeneres, Tyson discussed some of the ways he had improved his life in the past two years, including sober living and a vegan diet.[173] However, in August 2013 he admitted publicly that he had lied about his sobriety and was on the verge of death from alcoholism.[174]In December 2013, during an interview with Fox News, Tyson talked about his progress with sobriety and how being in the company of good people has made him want to be a better and more humble person. Tyson also talked about religion and said that he is very grateful to be a Muslim and that he needs Allah.[175] He also revealed that he is no longer vegan after four years.[175]In 2015, Tyson announced that he was supporting Donald Trump's presidential candidacy.[176]
In popular culture
For more details on this topic, see Mike Tyson in popular culture.At the height of his fame and career in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, Tyson was one of the most recognized sports personalities in the world. Apart from his many sporting accomplishments, his outrageous and controversial behavior in the ring and in his private life has kept him in the public eye and in the courtroom.[177] As such, Tyson has appeared in myriad popular media in cameo appearances in film and television. He has also been featured in video games and as a subject of parody or satire.The Blackstreet single "Booti Call" was written about Tyson's rape trial and conviction.[178] Boogie Down Productions' 1992 song "Say Gal" also addressed the rape trial.[179]The film Tyson was released in 1995 and was directed by Uli Edel. It explores the life of Mike Tyson, from the death of his guardian and trainer Cus D'Amato to his rape conviction. Tyson is played by Michael Jai White.Published in 2007, author Joe Layden's book The Last Great Fight: The Extraordinary Tale of Two Men and How One Fight Changed Their Lives Forever, chronicled the lives of Tyson and Douglas before and after their heavyweight championship fight. The book received positive reviews and claimed the fight was essentially the beginning of the end of boxing's popularity in mainstream sports.In 2008, the critically acclaimed documentary Tyson premiered at the annual Cannes Film Festival in France. The film was directed by James Toback and has interviews with Tyson and clips of his fights and from his personal life.The Felice Brothers, a folk-rock band from Upstate New York, released a song on their 2011 album Celebration, Florida titled "Cus's Catskill Gym". The song tells the story, albeit briefly, of Mike Tyson and a few notable characters and moments in his life.[citation needed]He is the titular character in Mike Tyson Mysteries, which started airing on October 27, 2014 on Adult Swim.[180][181]