A former heavyweight boxing legend, Mike Tyson, has been convicted by an Indiana jury for the rape of Desiree Washington, an 18-year-old beauty-pageant contestant.
The verdict resulted in Tyson receiving a 10-year prison sentence, with four years being suspended as part of the judgment.
Tyson’s journey to fame began in 1986 after defeating Trevor Berbick and securing the title of the youngest heavyweight champion in boxing history at the age of 20.
Born on June 30, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, Tyson faced a troubled upbringing that led him to a reform school in upstate New York.
It was there that his natural talent for boxing was unearthed, and he thrived under the guidance of the renowned trainer Cus D’Amato.
In 1985, Tyson turned professional, claiming the heavyweight championship a year later, a title he held until his defeat by James “Buster” Douglas in 1990.
The controversial incident involving Desiree Washington occurred in July 1991 when Tyson met her during a Miss Black America pageant rehearsal in Indianapolis.
Following their interaction, Washington joined Tyson in his hotel room, where the alleged rape took place in the early hours of July 19.
Despite Tyson’s claims of consensual s=x, a grand jury indicted the renowned fighter in September of the same year, leading to his conviction in February 1992.
Subsequently, Tyson commenced serving his sentence at the Indiana Youth Center near Plainfield, Indiana, starting in March 1992 and was released after completing three years in March 1995.
After his release from prison, Tyson briefly reclaimed the heavyweight title in 1996; however, his career was marred by further controversies.
Notably, during a match against Evander Holyfield in 1997, Tyson infamously bit off a portion of Holyfield’s ear, resulting in the temporary revocation of his boxing license.
Tyson also faced legal issues, serving time in jail for assaulting motorists post a traffic accident.
Moreover, he grappled with
