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Mike Tyson’s childhood is not for the faint-hearted. As a child, the former world champion faced severe hardship. Being born into a poor family and with the absence of a father figure, Tyson grew up in proximity to crime and bad company. For instance, he was arrested about 39 times before the age of 13. It is safe to say that no one would’ve expected ‘Iron Mike’ to one day become the youngest heavyweight champion of the world. A big role model for him was his mentor and trainer, Cus D’amato.

Cus D’amato took Mike Tyson under his mentorship and groomed him to use his anger to his advantage and become a great boxer. D’amato was more than just a boxing coach to young Tyson, he was a father figure that he never had growing up on the mean streets of Brownsville, New York. And, Tyson looked up to him. In a recent podcast episode, the 56-year-old got emotional, remembering him, and had a discussion about the importance of having a mentor in one’s life.

Mike Tyson gets emotional talking about mentorship

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Mike Tyson was the guest on the recent episode of the PBD Podcast, hosted by Patrick Bet-David. On the Podcast, Davis asked ‘Iron Mike’ about his upcoming project with the former crime boss, Michael Franzese. And, While discussing the upcoming project, the 56-year-old remembered his late mentor, Cus D’amato.

Discussing his next creative endeavor Tyson said, “It’s going to be about, as you know, people that experience life. like me and Mike, and we’ll talk about pretty much mentorships and what mentorship meant to us.” He added, “What it’s going to mean to our future without mentorship pretty much here.”

Tyson discussed the role of mentorship and believes that without mentorship, a person is “finished.”

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Further, he gave an example of himself and said, “If I describe myself, I would describe myself as just the worst of the worst. This is the bottom of the bat .”

He talked about his mentor and the man who changed his life. He added,” I had no idea I had no intentions of having a healthy good future, and then I met this old Italian man, Cus D’amato, and they changed my whole way of thinking.”   He added, “It wasn’t for him if I wouldn’t be here talking to you guys.”

Read More: “You’re Not Living Your Life”: Mike Tyson Channels Cus D’Amato’s Wisdom During His Podcast

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There is no doubt in the fact that D’amato made Tyson the man he is now. And has had a huge impact on the life of one of the most ferocious boxers the world has ever seen. What do you think about the role of Cus D’amato in Mike Tyson’s life? Let us know in the comments.

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