Mike
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Mike Tyson loved Cus DAmato.
Whenever Tyson gets interviewed about his relationship to Cus,he tends to get emotionalabout it.
Cus was the man who told him he could be a champion.
He was the father-figure who brought Tyson into his home and officially adopted him when Tysons mother died.
The strong second episode ofMikeimplies that Cus also died before he could disappoint his sensitive young protege.
She doesnt appreciate the cheap-ass chocolates he offers to her as a gift, for one.
If he cant box no more, do you still keep him?
When he doesnt have an answer to that question, she continues, Thats what I thought.
Whats in it for you, motherfucker?
The answer to that question is, Quite a bit.
Tyson was Cus ticket back from the exile of the modest gym where hed been put out to pasture.
Pneumonia took him out of Tysons life before their relationship could truly be tested.
The words Cus offers to Tyson are affirming and motivating: You will supersede everyone.
You are a giant.
You are a colossus amongst men.
I wanted to hear more.
But this episode is called Monster, which suggests this Frankenstein-ian project may wind up rampaging the countryside.
Making Tyson a terror in the ring has dark implications for how he might act outside it.
And not only does he not lose, hedestroyshis adversaries, pummeling most of them through first-round knockouts.
(His post-fight interviews last longer than the fights.)
(You canwatch it here.
It wont take much of your time.)
In the narration, Tyson says, I have intelligence, discipline, extremely honed skills.
People see an animal.
They call me a savage.
For better and worse, he would turn out to have many more dimensions than the public assumed.
And beyond that, who the hell is this guy?
We havent gotten to know him at all.
Your mind is not your friend.
I hope you know that, Mike.
You have to fight your mind.
Tyson would win up losing the fight against his mind frequently.
When Tyson would face Tillman again on June 16, 1990, heobliterated him in one round.
