By Ivan Godfrey: It is being reported that 46 year-old actor Jamie Foxx has been cast to portray `Iron` Mike Tyson in a film adaptation of the former undisputed heavyweight champion`s life. Tyson appears very comfortable with the idea and even jokingly remarked that Foxx will need to start taking steroids in order to accurately portray the menacing stature that was Iron Mike in his prime.
I for one hope this does occur because every aspect of Mike`s life is worthy of being on the big screen. From his troubled upbringing in Brownsville, Brooklyn, where he started a life of crime at a very early age all the way through his always exciting reign as heavyweight champion and then his troubled personal life up to the present day in which he appears to have conquered at least some of his demons.
Iron Mike was ferocious in his heyday, brutally knocking out almost all those who stood in his way. He claimed his first world title from Trevor Berbick in 1986 while still only 20 years-old with a 2nd round TKO and did not look back, becoming undisputed champion in 1987 with a decision win against the previously undefeated Tony Tucker. In doing so he fulfilled the dream of his mentor Cus d`amato who had passed away nearly two years earlier. Mike then went onto defend his three crowns six times, all by way of brutal knockout against the likes of an admittedly aging Larry Holmes and the unbeaten Michael Spinks, as well as the pride of Britain in Frank Bruno.
Mike lost his titles in an incredibly unexpected manner with a 10th round TKO loss to James `buster` Douglas. Tyson would later admit that he under trained drastically for that fight in Tokyo as he did not envisage Douglas as being any kind of threat to him based on his previous record(29-4-1).
Mike then started the comeback trail against Henry Tillman, a man he had lost to twice in the amateurs in bouts which meant that Tyson never qualified for an Olympic games. Therefore this was a sweet victory for Tyson. He had just defeated Razor Ruddock in consecutive fights before his world changed. He was accused of raping beauty pageant contestant Desiree Washington and later convicted. His conviction followed a trial in which several key witnesses were prevented from speaking because they came forward too late. Mike Tyson`s defense team were also extremely incompetent which is a fact that many of the jurors later admitted. In an interview some years after the trial three members of the jury who convicted Mike admitted they now believed there was reasonable doubt as to whether Mr Tyson was in fact guilty of rape.
Anyway, moving back to the boxing side of his life, Mike served three years in prison before being released on parole, and now as a converted, although not devout Muslim he resumed his career. He Knocked out Buster Mathis Jr inside three rounds before winning back the WBC title with a knockout of his old foe Frank Bruno at the MGM Grand. His infamous second bout with Holyfield then followed and following this disqualification loss (for biting Holyfield`s ear twice in case you weren’t aware) he never managed to regain a portion of the Heavyweight championship.
Mike retired in 2005 following a TKO loss and then his life spiraled out of control. His cocaine and alcohol addictions meant a rocky road ahead which led him to this present day, in which he is devoted to his children and his wife. He has revived himself in the eyes of the media to an extent with comical appearances in The Hangover franchise and touring the country with his one man show `Undisputed Truth`.
To sum up, Mike Tyson to me was almost unbeatable in his heyday. He made a lot of money for many people and his life has definitely been a roller coaster ride with some ups and a lot of downs which i`m sure will equate to big bucks for anyone with a role to play in the protracted film adaptation of his gripping story. I look forward with bated breath.
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