Netflix is pulling out all the stops when it comes to convincing the world to watch the boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson on Nov. 15. So much so that, they created a limited series dedicated to the countdown towards fight night.
Check out the trailer below:
On Episode 1, we followed Tyson in his old neighborhood of Brownsville, Brooklyn, NYC. Visiting his old apartment as a kid and interacting with the local people of the community, 'Iron' Mike revealed to the camera a rather rare sight of him being jovial and playful. He even had a play-sparring match with fellow boxing legend Shannon 'The Cannon' Briggs on the street while onlookers cheer.
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Tyson explained that even though he lived a life of crime, no one in his neighborhood judged him for it - as it was a means for him to survive in such harsh environments. To prove this point, he even had a brief interaction with a fan whom he allegedly robbed when he was a boy.
The fan said:
"You robbed me when I was eight years old on Amboy and Pitkin."
Surprised by this, Tyson gave the man a hug and said:
"I robbed you? Now, he's blaming me for robbing him... Yeah, at Woolworth's. We [Tyson's crew] took our pictures in there. I'm sorry."
Despite being a menace in the streets of Brownsville, getting arrested more than 30 times by the age of 13, 'Iron' Mike is loved by his people. He is a reflection of their resilience and ability to rise up from the troubles of societal rot and poverty.
Countdown: Paul vs. Tyson is out on Netflix now.
Mike Tyson on meeting Cus D'Amato: "He said he summoned me"
Further into the episode, we got to learn more about perhaps the greatest trainer-fighter relationship in boxing history, Mike Tyson and his legendary trainer, Cus D'Amato. The former heavyweight champion has said numerous times in the past the D'Amato was more than a trainer to him - he was the father he never had.
Tyson said:
"When I met Cus D'Amato I knew I was gonna be champ of the world when I was 14. He knew how to stimulate my mind. 'You could be the champion of the world at 18, 19, but you don't even believe it.' And then I was like, 'Really, you think so?'. He said, 'I put my life on it'."
When told by a friend present how amazing it was that the Tyson and D'Amato met, the former world champ said:
"He said he summoned me. Believe that sh*t?"
Tyson then became intensely emotional, as he always does every time he speaks about his trainer, mentor, and adoptive father. Since teaming up with D'Amato, Tyson knocked out his first 19 opponents, with 12 of those finishes coming in the first round.