As one of the biggest fights of the year approaches against Jake Paul, boxing icon Mike Tyson took a deeply personal journey back to his roots in Catskill, New York.
The trip was dedicated to honoring his father figure and legendary trainer, Cus D’Amato. In the sixth episode of his series Behind the Mike, viewers got a glimpse of Tyson revisiting pivotal moments from his past that shaped him into the “Baddest Man on the Planet.”
The emotional trailer, shared on Twitter, featured Tyson interacting with fans in Catskill while paying homage to D’Amato and celebrating his impactful legacy.
The episode, titled “Roots of Iron: Where Cus Built the Baddest Man on the Planet,” was released on Wednesday on Tyson’s YouTube channel.
A heartfelt tribute to Cus D’Amato
Upon arriving in Catskill, Tyson made it a priority to visit D’Amato‘s grave. In a heartfelt tribute, he poured champagne on the headstone.
“This is our celebration!,” Tyson declared as he remembered the promise he made to celebrate his heavyweight title victory with champagne.
During his visit, Tyson also engaged with fans, including one admirer who remarked that she would remember meeting him for the rest of her life. Tyson showcased his deep connections to the community.
“I know everybody in all these houses,” reflecting on the bond he shares with the place where he was shaped into a champion decades ago.
Additionally, Tyson met with local community leaders and interacted with girls from the local softball team before heading to his former school.
His next stop was the gym where he was trained by D’Amato. Standing in front of a poster of his mentor, he referred to D’Amato as the “King of the World.”
During his time at the gym, the 58-year-old engaged in a brief workout with local kids, offering valuable boxing tips and overseeing portions of their training. After taking pictures with the young athletes, Tyson once again paid homage to D’Amato, stating that everything he learned in life was thanks to his legendary trainer.