The Power of Perspective: Mike Tyson's 41-Year Journey to Finding Joy in Loss

It’s a well-known fact that Cus D’Amato adopted Mike Tyson; he trained and molded him into a world champion. But a lesser-known fact is why ‘Iron Mike’ Tyson asserts the death of his mother was a good thing for him and his career. After 41 long years, ‘Iron Mike’ reveals the real reason behind his seemingly heartless statement about his mother, Lorna Smith.

Back in 1986, at the young age of 20, ‘Kid Dynamite’ concurred the world heavyweight title by defeating Trevor Berbick. However, it’s worth questioning – would he have turned out to be as successful as he is today without his rough childhood on the streets of New York City? Any Mike Tyson fan would know all the adversities he had to go through as a child. His father was never involved in his life, and his mother had to raise him alone. So, why did ‘the baddest man on the planet’ claim he was happy about his mother’s death?

Mike Tyson is relieved that his mother passed away

Right at the onset of the latest episode of his podcast, Hotboxin With Mike Tyson, ‘Iron Mike’ and guest Grant Cardone delved into the upbringing and deaths of their parents. “Listen, I’m happy my mother died,” claimed Mike. He further emphasized, “If she was…my mother was still around, I’d be a different person, not a successful one.”

Explaining he wouldn’t be the same as he is today, Mike highlighted the reason behind his assertion. “She would baby me all the time. Not let me get beat up and all that,” Mike told Cardone. Following the revelation, Mike even claimed she would have had a detrimental influence on his life. “My mother would have hurt us bad, broke my spirit,” said Mike.

Tyson on his relationship with his mother

His mother’s death was positive for his boxing career, but was it the same for him emotionally? Mike became the youngest Heavyweight champion four years after his mother’s death. Yet, according to an article from Bleacher Report, Mike claimed that his mother’s death deeply affected him.

Mike claimed his mother was never happy or proud of what he did. “She only knew me as being a wild kid running the streets, coming home with new clothes that she knew I didn’t pay for,” said Mike. He even claimed that he never got to truly understand her. Later in the interview, Mike claimed, “Professionally, it has no effect, but it’s crushing emotionally and personally.”