There was a time when ‘The Baddest Man On The Planet’ and the ‘Most Ridiculed President Ever’ shared a very special bond. For almost a decade in the late 1980s, Mike Tyson became Donald Trump‘s best bet to put on a spectacle. Who knew that the new president-elect of the USA was the reason that boxing saw many unbelievable high-octane fights back in the day?

Trump was more of a boxing fan than a matchmaker. He didn’t care about the money to see the fight he wanted. The cost and the long-term consequences didn’t matter if it was a fight that the prince of Atlantic City wanted to see. Not only did he put on spectacles but also showed Mike Tyson a kind of stardom that the latter had no idea of. On the occasion of the conclusion of the U.S. 2024 presidential election, let’s take a trip down memory lane, to a brief period, when boxing became the biggest attraction.

Donald Trump was behind some of Mike Tyson’s biggest boxing fights

After becoming one of the biggest real estate developers in New York, Trump saw a golden opportunity to make his casino empire. He chose Atlantic City as the perfect place because of its gambling-friendly policies. “A very stable genius” was not at all calculating in his approach to expanding to Atlantic City. He acquired several properties and built high-end casinos like Trump Plaza, Trump Castle, and the Trump Taj Mahal.

We all know the astounding debt that Trump faced later in his life, but for a brief time, Trump Plaza became the boxing capital. It all started when 19-year-old Mike Tyson vanquished John Alderson in just two rounds. Coincidentally, this was the Brooklyn native’s second professional fight as well.

Tyson won the WBC heavyweight title the next year and out of his seven title defenses, four of them were at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. The signature building became a center of iconic moments for Mike Tyson, where he would just decimate his opponents. His fight against Jose Ribalta in 1986 and Tyrel Biggs in 1987 were pretty sensational. But nothing came close to when the youngest heavyweight champion knocked out Michael Spinks in just 91 seconds.

While such a quick fight fairly disappointed the crowd, it made Mike Tyson an outright global star. Donald Trump reportedly paid the 50-6 boxer and then-record $11 million site fee. Furthermore, the boxer earned almost $15 million as wager revenue at the Trump Plaza. This fight impressed Trump so much that it sparked a partnership between the duo that went on to define boxing for a long time.

Trump’s exceptional role as Tyson’s adviser

According to the New York Times, the 50-6 boxer hired Trump as his chief strategist and adviser in July 1988, just a month after the Spinks’ fight. While the official announcement came after a month, according to the reports, the deal happened in a few hours after the fight. According to Trump, Mike Tyson wanted to be managed by the now president of the USA just a day before the Spinks fight.

After the fight, ‘Iron’ Mike parted ways with his former manager Bill Cayton, ending their four-year contract. Not only that, but the Brooklyn native also sued his former manager, alleging Cayton of ruining Tyson’s youth. Donald Trump confirmed his appointment and stated that he would play a major role in every decision made by the then-heavyweight champion. Including “lawsuits going back and forth between Mike and his current manager, Bill Cayton.”

However, the partnership didn’t last long as rumors started to circulate that Trump was having an affair with Tyson’s then-wife, Robin Givens. Things worsened when Tyson was sentenced to six years of imprisonment. During that time, the whole world turned against the 50-6 boxer, except his manager. Trump seriously advocated for his boxer, demanding that the boxer be allowed to train and fight. He further mentioned that the money earned by “Iron Mike” should go to a charity.

Mike Tyson made sure to repay the favor as he advocated for Trump in both of the presidential election campaigns. While the whole world ridiculed the election campaign, Tyson stated, “I always remember him(Trump) from being a good guy.” Yes, the billionaire has always showered the Brooklyn native with money whenever possible. But Tyson also owes it to Trump for possibly saving his career in a story that resembles a movie.

Donald Trump saved Mike Tyson from facing serious repercussions after a street fight with a gangster

Mike Tyson has always been the ‘Baddest Man On The Planet’ inside the ring. But the era where he grew up was filled with gangsters just as scary as movies showcased them. One of them was Mitch ‘Blood’ Green, a gang leader in the streets of Harlem.

In 1986, Tyson defeated Green via unanimous decision at the Madison Square Garden, kick-starting a blood-fueled rivalry. Two years later, in August 1988, Iron Mike and Blood clashed in a brawl outside Dapper Dan’s clothing store on 125th in Harlem, which could have ended Tyson’s career.

According to Tyson, he was there just to collect his customized white leather jacket, and that is when Green came and confronted him as he was leaving. On the other hand, Green stated that it was his rival who threw the first punch. The brawl turned ugly, which resulted in Green receiving five stitches on his face and a closed eye, and Tyson suffered a hairline fracture on his right hand.

By that time, Mike Tyson had already become the undisputed heavyweight champion and this brawl put his upcoming match against Frank Bruno at Wembley Stadium in serious jeopardy. Thankfully, by weird fate, Donald Trump became involved in the fight and rescheduled the Tyson-Bruno match. Furthermore, he renegotiated a new deal and a new date and brought the fight to Vegas, where Tyson defeated Bruno.

With everything said, it is clear that these two share a deep personal history. Both of them lived through a similar time and were responsible for making boxing great again. One was the matchmaker, while the other was the entertainer.

What do you think about their relationship? Would Mike Tyson have become the boxing mogul he is today without the help of Donald Trump?