‘A 23 yr old beats up a 15 yr old is not something to brag about. Mike fixed that…’: He BULLIED Mike Tyson In School, THEN They MET in the RING! 

This video unveils the dramatic saga of Mike Tyson facing Carl Williams, a figure from his tumultuous past, in a professional ring. Dive deep into the story of vengeance, resilience, and raw power as we bring to light one of the most sensational matchups in boxing history.

The story unfolds in 1989, when a 23-year-old Mike Tyson faced Carl “The Truth” Williams in a highly anticipated boxing match in Atlantic City. The rivalry between the two had roots in their earlier sparring sessions, where Williams, a seasoned professional, had bested a young Tyson, leaving a lasting impression on the future heavyweight champion.

Leading up to the fight, Tyson, once perceived as invincible, had shown vulnerability in a previous match against Frank Bruno. Williams, on the other hand, was on the rise, having earned recognition for his close battles with boxing legend Larry Holmes and displaying a vulnerability to left hooks in his losses.

The narrative is framed by Tyson’s recollection of their sparring sessions, where Williams, a 23-year-old professional, had roughed up the 16-year-old Tyson. Despite initial struggles, Tyson’s determination grew, leading to a decisive moment when he “busted up” Williams in retaliation during one of their sessions.

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Bullied as kids, Canelo and Mike Tyson’s early life and career almost mirror each other – they fought back to win titles but fame and money haven’t shifted the Mexican’s focus as he prepares for Gennady Golovkin

Canelo Alvarez and Mike Tyson share a mutual respect, one born out of the fact they both know what it’s like to rise from being a shy, bullied outcast to boxing’s biggest star. But a major difference between them has seen the pair go down very different paths.

Superficially, an angry, menacing, power-punching American heavyweight who peaked in the 1980s may seem to have little in common with Mexico’s current pound-for-pound king, who made his name through his counter-punching skills and boyband good looks. But scratch beneath the surface and the similarities are quite clear.

Canelo walks through many opponents just like Tyson didCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Tyson’s reputation in the ring earned him the nickname ‘Iron Mike’ and the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Tyson and Canelo both had short and frustrating amateur careers, choosing instead to turn professional as teenagers without any of the fanfare surrounding Olympic standouts. ‘Iron Mike’ at least tried to qualify, losing a 1984 Olympic qualifier to Henry Tillman on points before battering a tree in a nearby park in his rage-filled frustration (Tyson would do much the same to Tillman when they eventually met as professionals).

Alvarez didn’t even get that far, turning pro at 15 years old because his trainers couldn’t find suitable junior competition for him.

Before that, both were shy, embarrassed figures who experienced bullying before they learned how to fight back. Canelo, with his pale skin, freckles and red hair, stood out from the other kids in Guadalajara. One of his brothers urged him to fight back on those who’d hit and mock him. Eventually, Canelo did, bloodying a bully’s nose. “I liked it too much,” Alvarez told the Guardian, years later. “I knew everything would change.”

Brought up in the notorious Brownsville area of Brooklyn, Tyson was picked on as a child for his lisp, glasses and chubby figure. “I still feel like a coward to this day because of that bullying,” Tyson said once, recalling a story of when he was beaten up and had his glasses stolen. “That’s a wild feeling, being that helpless. You never, ever forget that feeling.”

Tyson famously kept pigeons and after one bird was killed in front of him, its head ripped off by one local thug, a 10-year-old Mike threw his first punch in anger. Soon, he was the one terrorising the local bullies. Tyson had been arrested 38 times by age 13 when he was discovered by legendary boxing trainer Cus D’Amato, who immersed him in the sweet science and eventually took Tyson into his home and became his legal guardian.

Similarly, if not quite as dramatically, Canelo found his boxing guru at the exact age Tyson met D’Amato. Trainer Eddy Reynoso recalls a skinny, 13-year-old redhead walking into his boxing gym in Mexico in 2003 and battering an experienced 16-year-old. To this day, Reynoso shares a father-son bond with Canelo.

Tyson attempted to qualify for the Olympics but the teenage amateur failed to reach the Games and he turned pro shortly afterCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Canelo has been with the same team for a long time and were there when he made his pro debut at 15 and will be there when he fights PlantCredit: @canelo on Instagram

After turning pro at 15, Canelo knocked out 11 of his 13 opponents in 19 months (though Eddy’s father, Chepo Reynoso, insists there were another 10 fights on cards so small they never made it on to Canelo’s record). Similarly, Tyson tore through 15 opponents in his debut year, all via KO with 11 coming in the first round.

Tyson went 13-0 in his second year as a pro and was rapidly becoming a sensation. Knocking out Trevor Berbick in devastating style to become the youngest ever heavyweight world title holder at the age of 20 sealed the deal.

At the same age, Canelo was winning his first world title, outpointing Matthew “I’m not just Ricky’s brother” Hatton at light-middleweight. Alvarez didn’t have Tyson’s highlight reel KOs – those would come later, courtesy of James Kirkland and Amir Khan – but both were skyrocketing to stardom.

Tyson’s flame burned brighter, but shorter. By age 21 he had unified all of the heavyweight belts and demolished lineal champion Michael Spinks in only 91 seconds. But while Eddy Reynoso remains in Canelo’s corner to this day, guiding his career, Tyson had already lost the far older D’Amato before he claimed his first title belt.

While their styles were different early on – Tyson the front-foot, peekaboo-style destroyer; Canelo far more measured and happier counterpunching – their personalities share some similarities. Both have a temper – Tyson’s snarling on the surface, Canelo’s buried deeper – and got into brawls with rivals outside the ropes. Perhaps Caleb Plant, Alvarez’s last opponent, should be glad he just exchanged a few pre-fight slaps with Canelo as opposed to the full-on street brawl Tyson got into with Mitch ‘Blood’ Green.

Canelo appeared as a guest on Tyson’s podcast where a clear level of mutual respect was on displayCredit: Mike Tyson – Instagram

The pair get along well, too. Canelo appeared on Tyson’s podcast, where they bonded over their dislike of school (we can all relate) and ‘Iron Mike’ sung Alvarez’s praises as a fighter. Canelo later returned the compliment when asked which historic boxer’s power he’d love to borrow. “Mike Tyson, because he had a brutal punch,” the 31-year-old told DAZN. “’Even if he grazed you, he’d knock you out.”

It’s an understandable bond. Even if most boxers can relate to one another regarding the struggle, pain and sacrifice they go through, only a rare few can understand the attention that comes with being the global face of the sport. But how differently Tyson and Canelo have dealt with that pressure is where their careers split.

Both men suffered their first professional defeats at age 23. But the circumstances are entirely different. Tyson, at the peak of his powers in 1990, was stopped by unfancied James ‘Buster’ Douglas in boxing’s greatest upset. Canelo suffered a semi-humiliation of his own, being outboxed by Floyd Mayweather in 2013. But the feeling at the time, strongly reinforced since, is that Mayweather was just a challenge too soon for the still-improving Alvarez.

Douglas dethroned Tyson in one of boxing’s biggest ever upsets in what was the beginning of a downward spiral for the seemingly invincible heavyweightCredit: Rex Features

Tyson’s first fight out of prison was an easy win over Peter McNeeley but his aura had goneCredit: AFP – Getty

However, his name still generated big money fightsCredit: Getty – Contributor

Part of the reason for Tyson’s defeat was that his life was spiralling out of control. In 1992, he was convicted of rape and spent three years in prison. Tyson won fights and picked up world title belts after his release but his aura of invincibility had faded and, while he continued to generate huge pay-per-view sales, it’s debatable how much of that money actually ended up in Tyson’s pocket.

Canelo, in complete contrast to Tyson, is as sharp and calculating outside of the ring as he is within the ropes. His career has been expertly managed, he’s switched promoters and networks according to needs. He has rebuilt from the Mayweather defeat, engaged in a memorable two-fight rivalry with Gennady Golovkin, with a third to come, and won world title belts at 160lb, 168lb and 175lb. Hell, he can even pull off his garish silk pyjamas.

At 31 – the same age Tyson was banned from boxing in disgrace after biting a chunk out of Evander Holyfield’s ear in their second fight – Canelo stands as arguably boxing’s pound-for-pound No 1 and unarguably its biggest superstar.

The easy comparison to make here is between their boxing gurus. While Canelo remains tight with Reynoso, now recognised as one of the world’s best trainers, D’Amato died when Tyson was just 19. Fight fans love to speculate on how Tyson’s career might have panned out had he been with Cus for longer. But the truth is that D’Amato, who was a bitter and complex character, was always struggling to manage Tyson’s behaviour.

Mayweather Jr out-boxed Canelo to win by majority decision, which, until his fight with Dimitry Bivol, was the only loss of his careerCredit: 2013 Golden Boy

His relentlessness and willingness to chase the big fights are what make him the pound-for-pound kingCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Marvin Hagler once said: “It’s tough to get out of bed to do roadwork at 5am when you’re sleeping in silk pyjamas.”

Asked about this quote, Canelo Alvarez said: “The desire comes out of my love for boxing. I love this sport. There’s nothing wrong with the pyjamas I wear!” pic.twitter.com/XP9hkRlwzs

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) November 3, 2021

Perhaps the issues lie further back. While Alvarez took up boxing to escape obscurity, he has a strong family unit behind him. Growing up on a farm, Canelo has six brothers who all boxed – the seven Alvarez brothers once appeared on the same card together. Their mother, Ana Maria, from whom Canelo gets his famous red hair, is a regular ringside presence at his fights – and just ask Plant what happens if Alvarez thinks you may have insulted her.

Tyson’s own family history is bleak. He did not know his biological father and his mother struggled to raise him (“My mother would feed me liquor and drugs to get me to sleep,” Tyson once recalled). She died when Tyson was only 16.

Given that harrowing upbringing, it is actually a miracle that the former ‘Baddest Man on the Planet’ seems to have finally found some stability and happiness in his life at age 55. But it also suggests why Tyson struggled to truly fulfil his vast potential as a boxer. Whereas Canelo Alvarez – if not the baddest man on the planet then probably among the best – is at the peak of his powers and still reaching for new heights as evidenced by his last fight, against Dimitry Bivol, despite it ending in defeat.