Mike Tyson in his prime fighting years may be considered to be one of the most dangerous combat sports athletes of all time.
The former world champion was delivering knockout blows to some of the very best from a young age, which included Tyson starting his career with an incredible knockout streak.
From making his debut as a teenager to fighting Jake Paul aged 58, few will have as many years in the ring as Tyson.
However, Tyson has been able to show his talent from a young age. As ‘Iron Mike’ was shaped by Cus D’Amato, he often impressed people with his physique and power despite his age.
This includes a former heavyweight competitor who recalled the time he sparred with a teenage Tyson.
Joe Egan recalls sparring a teenage Mike Tyson
Former Irish heavyweight boxer Joe Egan spoke to the George Groves Boxing Club Podcast about the time he spent with a young Tyson.
“When I was introduced to Mike, he walked towards me and I’m looking at him, I thought, ‘He’s 17. The same age as me… I’m going to batter you [Tyson],'” Egan said.
The Irishman would go on to say that the two had an excellent relationship and that they got on well. “It was just so lovely. It was like a home from home.”
Egan said that on his second day with Tyson, they went to the gym to spar. However, he acknowledged that there were other, older boxers in the gym preparing to spare the future champion. “I’m looking around, these grown men are scared stiff.”
Tyson’s former sparring partner said that ‘Iron Mike’ was able to deliver knockout blows to men who were much older and bigger than him, which invoked fear in Egan. “There’s no way a 17-year-old should have that power.”
Egan added that he was ‘battered for three minutes’ when he was sparring with Tyson.
Staying with Tyson for two years, the two continued to spar over this period of time. However, Egan said that it was a tough learning experience. “I took some serious punishment off that man for two years. He made me cry, so many times.”
“I believed, if I could take Mike Tyson’s punishment, I could take anyone’s punishment.”
Mike Tyson made his professional debut aged 18
Given Tyson’s talents at a young age, he became a professional boxer at the age of just 18. Fighting in Albany, Tyson’s first appearance would end in a first-round knockout.
Taking on Puerto Rican Hector Merced (0-3), Tyson would be able to start his career as he intended to go on.
At the age of 20, Tyson would win his first world title. Defeating Trevor Berbick by second-round TKO, he became the youngest world heavyweight champion. This was the first step in Tyson becoming one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.