‘We Got M16 Gun… We Were Predators’: Mike Tyson Remains Brutally Honest During Troubled Childhood Confession

Mike Tyson has been one of the most influential sporting figures of the 1980s. He had become a big name in boxing. But before then, his life had been nothing short of a living horror. Due to his deleterious neighborhood, he became involved in illegal activities at a very young age. Recently, he provided some additional insights into how his life was at the time.

Mike Tyson was recently in conversation with rapper Cordae on his podcast show. Even Tyson took a trip down memory lane to reflect on his own youth as the rapper talked about his. Tyson talked about how he got involved in robberies when he was just 11 years old.

He further added, “And we had our ski suits, we had our sheep skin man. We have 40,000 here, we’re only 11 years old, we robbed houses. And we young kids, when we robbed these houses, next thing, these guys got 45,000. We were little kids, we got an M16 gun over there. Those are the things you get into when your ob houses. And really just little bad sh*t. We were predators.” 

DIVE DEEPER: ‘I Was Supposed to Be in Prison or Dead’: Mike Tyson Remains Brutally Honest About Choices He Made in His Troubling Childhood

The former heavyweight world champion has talked extensively on his podcast about his criminal past. He was consequently sent to juvenile detention centers due to his involvement in crimes. But his life changed irrevocably when he discovered boxing.

How did Mike Tyson get over his troubled childhood?

Tyson had been left on his own to make choices due to a poor neighborhood and the absence of his parents. He found the easiest way out and opted for crime. Later on, he considered using boxing as a way to express his rage and suffering. Fortunately, ‘Iron Mike’ was able to find a coach who could help him tame his inner demon.

Tyson got acquainted with Cus D’Amato, and the latter gave Tyson a place to stay. D’Amato not only taught Tyson boxing, but he also made him realize his inner potential. The fighter still waxes lyrical about his very first and most important mentor. 

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Even though D’Amato later passed away, he had predicted that Tyson would go on to become one of the finest boxers the world had ever seen. It turned into reality as Tyson went on to become the youngest heavyweight champion in the history of the sport.