Few athletes in history have commanded the kind of dominance Mike Tyson showcased in the boxing ring. From the moment he stepped under the spotlight, Tyson was a force of nature—raw, ferocious, and utterly captivating. His greatness wasn’t just in his ability to win but in the way he dismantled opponents with a ruthless efficiency that redefined the sport.

However, his meteoric rise to boxing stardom can be traced to a pivotal figure in his life: Cus D’Amato. More than a trainer, D’Amato was a mentor, a father figure, and the man who saw greatness in Tyson long before the world did. Joe Rogan who has always been a fan of the legendary coach pointed out on his JRE podcast how D’ Amato shaped Tyson’s career inside and outside the ring.

Cus D’Amato handed Tyson the keys to the kingdom

When Tyson was just a troubled teenager from the rough neighborhoods of Brownsville, New York, D’Amato provided him sanctuary. At 13, Tyson was sent to a reform school, where his boxing talent caught the eye of trainer Bobby Stewart, who introduced him to D’Amato. The connection was instant. D’Amato not only took the young fighter under his wing but also brought him into his home in Catskill, New York, offering stability that Tyson had never known.

D’Amato’s unorthodox yet effective training methods transformed Tyson into a ferocious force in the ring. He honed Tyson’s peek-a-boo style, teaching him to use head movement, speed, and explosive power to overwhelm opponents. But Cus’s influence extended beyond technique. He instilled a champion’s mindset in Tyson which allowed him to win fights at such a young age. This was the topic of discussion when ‘Thanos’ in the form of Josh Brolin sat down with Joe Rogan on episode #2232 of JRE.

One of the points of discussion was what separated Tyson from the rest of the fighters. Apart from Tyson’s sheer dedication, Rogan also pointed out the role his coach D’Amato played. Speaking to Brolin, he said, “Mike was at a level that no one was at. It was just an insane combination of discipline, talent, incredible coaching, and psychology. You know when he was 13 years old he was adopted by a guy Cus D’ Amato. Cus used to hypnotize him. He hypnotized him with the time when he was 13 into being the greatest fighter. And told him you don’t exist. Only the task exists. And the task was just destruction.”

Last weekend was a treat for fight fans, as they got to witness Mike Tyson in action against Jake Paul. The fight gathered a lot of momentum because of the age gap between the two. Tyson looked nowhere close to his best at years old but the fight still went the full distance. The former heavyweight champion faced a lot of criticism for the fight and some even claimed it was scripted. Despite all such claims Joe Rogan still feels that Tyson is the greatest fighter of all time.

Joe Rogan has nothing but praise for Mike Tyson after his fight with Jake Paul

In a matchup that united boxing’s storied past with its new-age spectacle, Mike Tyson faced Jake Paul in a fight that had fans from every generation glued to their screens. The result? A dramatic display of skill, grit, and the enduring spirit of competition. At 58 years old, Tyson’s explosiveness may have dimmed, but his mastery of the sport was undeniable.

The fight was the topic of discussion between Rogan and Brolin during their recent conversation. While the fight may not have gone the way it was expected, Rogan still feels that the fear of facing Tyson inside the ring is what makes him the greatest fighter of all time. While speaking to Brolin he reminded the world of how dominant a champion Tyson was in his prime and why he deserves a lot more respect. He said, “I maintain that in the time where he was champion, like the two or three years where he was at his best, he was the greatest fighter of all time.”

The fight wasn’t just about winning or losing—it was about bridging generations, proving that boxing’s spirit thrives in both its veterans and its newcomers. What are your views on Cus D’Amato and his role in Tyson’s life? Did he really forge ‘Iron Mike’ into the greatest of all time? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.