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| Mike Tyson enjoying a renewed career. Photo Credit:Wally Skalij /LA Times |
Mike Tyson's career has taken some very interesting turns throughout the years. Through it all, he has found a way to still stay relevant in some form or fashion. These days, Tyson enjoys a reenergized career that has opened so many new doors of opportunity for him. How did he get this high point in his life? Find out below.
By: Omie D
2014
Mike Tyson has now made his way back to B+ List celebrity status after a rough 15 year stretch as a "Comical Whipping Boy." Oh! You have not heard of Mike Tyson's Mysteries, a new animated series featuring Norm MacDonald as his wise cracking pigeon? Yes, a talking pigeon! I am excited about this new show, excited to see "Iron" Mike Tyson reinventing himself, making a comeback in entertainment and surfing in a new direction.
Its a show that will show the gentle side of Mike Tyson, the one we learned about in his Broadway show "Undisputed Truth." Which is a must see. But how did Mike Tyson stay in our hearts and minds for 20+ years? What was he able to do that kept him in the pulse and minds of society? Was it the 30 second Pay-Per-View knock outs that netted HBO and Don King, millions of dollars, and leaving fans thirsty? The Robin Givens affair, the way she ruined a young mans life, taking advantage of his kindness and obscurity. The infamous bite of Evander Holyfield's ear? Wrong!!! All of you are wrong!!
Technology from the Mid 80's saved Mike Tyson's career, how You say?
1987
In the Mid 80's a new rage was filling homes from coast to coast. Taking kids from their parents and exposing them to a soon to be digital worlds of imagination. Characters such as; Mario, Luigi, Simon Belmont, Samus and Duck Hunt would kick start millions of children's imaginations. That's right, Nintendo!!
At this time that Mike Tyson was heavy weight champion of the world and also starring as "The Boss" in Nintendo's ground breaking Sports release "Mike Tyson's Punch Out." This was earth moving in the realm of video games and opened up the doors for sports endorsement deals for seasonal video games forever.
So for the next 10 years "Mike Tyson's Punch Out" was played by two different generations of boxing fans, possibly three. Meaning for almost 30 years, "Mike Tyson's Punch Out" has been placing the name of the sports icon in the front of fresh faces and resonating in the minds of those of us who knew of his life. Scenes from this game have been used in movies, mocked in TV shows and spoofed on SNL, all the while keeping the name ,"Mike Tyson", in our minds forever.
Fast forward through the storm, to the greatness of "The Hangover", which was his first major role in a box office winner. "He's still got it!" once again Mike Tyson surfaces in our minds. This opened roles on some TV shows, his own HBO special, turned Broadway show, and now his own cartoon. Once again an animated Mike Tyson will become a name for two generations of fans. Say what you might want to say about the intelligence of a boxer, but for 30 years, Mike Tyson has been one of the most popular names in boxing in or out of the ring.
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