MIKE TYSON had to show BAPTISM PEARS to prove he's 14 - because no one believed that teenage sensation was his age.
Cus D'Amato was the first mentor of the future heavyweight champion in boxing's renowned Catskill gym.
Mike Tyson was two-time Junior Olympic Champion. However, he had to prove his age as no one wanted him to fight.
Bruce Silverglade, then head of the amateur circuit, was tasked with Tyson's matchmaking bouts.
Silverglade, who owns the Gleasons boxing club in Gleasons, had to prove Iron Mike's age.
SunSport reported that he was involved in many of his fights.
"We had a great time. He was 14 years old when he filled out the form. In junior Olympics, it is based on age.
"So, at that time, ten year-olds could fight eleven-year-olds and the list goes on. He was an adult, and he looked like one.
He was 14 years old and looked like a mature man. We would also have birth certificates, baptism papers and passports.
He was only a child. He was brilliant, despite having many problems.
Tyson was a junior Olympic champion twice before he turned 16 years old.
He was then coached by Teddy Atlas who later went on to have a Hall of Fame-winning training career.
The pair would travel together from Catskill, upstate New York, to Gleason’s gym in Brooklyn.
Silverglade recalls: "In Catskills it was a small gym, so there wasn't sparring. So when he needed to prepare for his fights, this was where he would go.
"Teddy Atlas, who was one our trainers, was the one working alongside him at that time. He brought Tyson to Gleason’s.
"They trained here for many, many hours. He lived in Catskills, which was about an hour north of here.
He didn't train there on a daily basis, but he was from Brooklyn so it wasn't far away.
Tyson, then aged 20, became the youngest champion in heavyweight boxing when he defeated Trevor Berbick in 1986.
A picture of Mike Tyson, just 13 years old
He also split his time between Brooklyn and Catskill during his most fearful years.
Silverglade was able to see the famous rise of Iron Mike from the front row.
However, Tyson's shocking loss to James "Buster" Douglas in 1990 was equally memorable.
Silverglade stated: "The problem with Mike is that he won many fights through intimidation until he lost to Japan as a professional.
People read about him and heard about his invincibility. So people were intimidated before even going in.
"One of my biggest upsets was Michael Spinks. I loved Michael Spinks. I was there in 1976 in Montreal, when he won an Olympic gold medal.
In 1986, Mike Tyson beat Trevor Berbick.
Mike Tyson beats Michael Spinks 1988
"I thought he had a fantastic amateur. He was a great light-heavyweight champ, and he became a heavyweight champion.
He went in with Mike Tyson, and lost the first round. Through intimidation, he froze and looked like a friend in the headlights.
"But, if you look at his record following his defeat in Japan then you will see that he had a losing record.
"Because people said that he wasn't invincible. He can be defeated'.
Tyson, a two-time heavyweight champion, retired in 2005 and is still one of the most revered fighters of all times.
Silverglade was also inducted into New York State Hall of Fame 2015 and still operates the historic Gleason’s gym.
The gym's owner, who has been in charge for over 40 years, has hosted the likes Roberto Duran, Muhammad Ali and Floyd Mayweather.
Silverglade also said that Tyson and Duran, who used Gleasons to train them for huge title fights, were both cut from the same cloth.
He stated that Tyson was "ferocious." Robero Duran was my favorite fighter because he was fierce, Mike Tyson was like him.
"When he sparred he was there for the win."
Mike Tyson and Bruce Silverglade, Gleason’s owner
