Mike Tyson chronology
A look back at the colorful career of 'Iron Mike'
1978 — Arrested for purse snatching as a 12-year-old in Brooklyn and sent to Tryon School for Boys.
1979 — A boxing instructor at a New York State correction facility for boys brings Tyson to the attention of Cus D’Amato, who had guided Floyd Patterson to the heavyweight title.
March 6, 1985 — In his professional debut, Tyson defeats Hector Mercedes in one round.
Nov. 22, 1986 — Tyson knocks out Trevor Berbick in the second round, winning the WBC heavyweight title to become the youngest heavyweight champion in history at age 20.
March 3, 1987 — Tyson defeats James “Bonecrusher” Smith in Las Vegas to win the WBA heavyweight title.
June 21, 1987 — A parking lot attendant says Tyson tried to kiss a female employee and struck the male attendant. He is charged with misdemeanor assault and battery and assault with a deadly weapon, and pays $105,000 to settle the case.
Aug. 1, 1987 — Tyson beats Tony Tucker to retain the WBA-WBC heavyweight titles and win the IBF heavyweight title.
Feb. 9, 1988 — Actress Robin Givens and Tyson marry in New York.
Aug. 23, 1988 — Tyson breaks a bone in his right hand in a 4 a.m. street brawl with boxer Mitch Green in Harlem.
Sept. 30, 1988 — Givens says in a nationally televised interview that Tyson is a manic-depressive and that she is afraid of him. Tyson sits meekly next to her.
Oct. 2, 1988 — Police go to Tyson’s Bernardsville, N.J., home after he hurls furniture out the window and forces Givens and her mother to flee the house.
Oct. 7, 1988 — Givens files for divorce.
Feb. 14, 1989 — Tyson and Givens are divorced in the Dominican Republic.
Feb. 11, 1990 — In a stunning upset, Tyson is knocked out by James “Buster” Douglas in the 10th round and loses his world heavyweight title.
July 18, 1991 — Tyson meets Desiree Washington, a beauty pageant contestant, at a rehearsal. They go to the boxer’s hotel room in the early morning hours.
Sept. 9, 1991 — A special grand jury indicts Tyson on rape and three other charges. Two days later, he is booked in Indianapolis and released on a $30,000 cash bond.
Jan.-March 1992 — Tyson is convicted of rape and sentenced to 10 years in prison, four suspended.
March 25, 1995 — Tyson is released from the Indiana Youth Center near Plainfield, Ind.
August 19, 1995 — Tyson begins comeback with 89-second victory over Peter McNeeley in Las Vegas.
March 16, 1996 — Tyson knocks out Frank Bruno in third round to win the WBC heavyweight title in Las Vegas.
Nov. 9, 1996 — Evander Holyfield stops Tyson in the 11th round for the WBA title.
April 1997 — Tyson marries Monica Turner in New York.
June 28, 1997 — Tyson is disqualified after the third round for biting Holyfield’s ears. Tyson claims he was retaliating for a head butt inflicted by Holyfield that opened up a gash above his right eye. Referee Mills Lane says the butt was accidental.
July 9, 1997 — The Nevada State Athletic Commission, in a 5-0 vote, revokes Mike Tyson’s boxing license and fines him $3 million for biting Holyfield in their June 28 WBA championship bout. Tyson, who also is ordered to pay legal costs, can apply for reinstatement of his license in one year.
March 5, 1998 — Tyson files a $100 million lawsuit against Don King, accusing the promoter of cheating him out of tens of millions of dollars.
Aug. 31, 1998 — Tyson is involved in a minor auto accident in Gaithersburg, Md., and kicks and punches two men from other cars.
Oct. 19, 1998 — The Nevada Athletic Commission votes 4-1 to restore Tyson’s boxing license.
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