As an amateur fighter, Mike Tyson secured gold medals in 1981 and 1982 in the Junior Olympics and had visions of earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team in 1984. There as some serious competition, however, with names such as Pernell Whittaker and Evander Holyfield also vying for spots.
The U.S, Olympic trials were held in Fort Worth, Texas in 1984, and Tyson was up against Henry Tillman, another kid who had a criminal history and who had learned to box while in prison. Tillman won a 5-0 decision. Tyson was then chosen as Tillman’s ‘most worthy’ opponent for the Olympic box-offs at Caesars Palace a month later. Tyson would have to defeat him twice to make the Olympic cut. If Tillman won the first bout, it was over for Tyson.
Tyson lost a 4-1 decision. He stormed out of the pavilion and began taking his frustrations out on a tree. While Tyson was crying, his trainer Cus D’Amato consoled him. Tillman advanced and went on to win the gold medal in the Olympics.
