The Press Box Farewell to the NBA On TNT. Plus: Mark Kriegel on Mike Tyson and the Future of Sports Biographies.
Jun 2, 2025
Mark Kriegel, author of 'Baddest Man: The Making of Mike Tyson', shares fascinating insights into the life and legacy of Mike Tyson, exploring how his persona has evolved within sports and pop culture. He discusses the challenges of writing a compelling sports biography, highlighting themes of mentorship and personal struggle. The conversation also touches on Tyson’s lasting impact on both boxing and broader cultural narratives, showcasing how a fighter's story can resonate through generations.
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Tyson's Unique Voice Impact
- Mike Tyson's unique voice helped make him an unforgettable and compelling figure in American culture.
- He combined fearsome power with an idiosyncratic macho lisp, making him one of a kind in the 1980s media landscape.
Tyson's Broad 1980s Appeal
- Tyson pierced racial and ethnic barriers, becoming beloved by diverse American communities in the 1980s.
- His image was crafted to appeal broadly, including to white ethnic Americans and middle America as a safe, heroic figure.
Cus D'Amato's Role
- Cus D'Amato was a brilliant, eccentric trainer who shaped Tyson's early career and persona.
- He crafted a mythic, redemptive story around Tyson, though some aspects of their relationship were more complex and darker than portrayed.
