Mike Tyson Opens Up About Pain Behind Success, How He Gained Confidence

Mike Tyson opened up about pain behind success and how he gained his confidence in life.

Tyson’s fame and career is like a real-life movie. In the late 1980’s and throughout the 1990’s, Tyson was one of the most celebrated sports personalities in the world. Because of his fearsome image, he managed to keep his dark secrets away and hidden behind the limelight. However, even to this day, “Iron Mike” is still somewhat devastated with all the hardships he experienced in the past.

During his transition from a street thug to an amateur boxer, Tyson has entrusted his life to his former trainer and mentor Cus D'Amato. It was D’Amato who helped build Tyson’s confidence which eventually turned the juvenile into a ferocious animal inside the ring, Daily Star reported.

"When I first started living life I didn't really have any confidence. I used to be bullied a lot," Tyson said on the “Expeditiously” podcast with rapper T.I.

“It was horrible. But then I met Cus D'amato. He stripped me down [psychologically] but then he gave me an ego. My ego is everything," Tyson continued.

Carrying the lessons he learned from D’Amato with him, Tyson became the youngest world heavyweight champion. His was quick to adjust and enjoyed most of his time as one of the world’s most recognized athletes. However, just like any other fairytales, Tyson’s heydays had to go through some obstacles. The people he trusted in his career betrayed him and in 2005, the once phenomenal Tyson eventually retired.

When Tyson stepped away from the sport he once dominated, a series of unfortunate events plagued his personal and even became homeless at some point. All told, many believed that Tyson’s downfall in boxing was the darkest part of his life. But in reality, it was the hardships he faced before boxing that still haunts him even to this day.

Tyson’s mother died when he was only 16. And since then, Tyson learned to deal with life without her. He was able to hide the pain behind the success but admitted that it “crushes him inside.”

"I never saw my mother happy with me and proud of me for doing something. 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," Tyson revealed.

"I never got a chance to talk to her or know about her. Professionally, it has no effect, but it's crushing emotionally and personally,” Tyson added.