January 10, 1992 Memory: Mike Tyson Convicted Of Raping Desiree Washington

Mike Tyson in his old age. (Photo: Instagram)

JAKARTA - The history of February 10 recorded one of the important events, Mike Tyson was found guilty of raping Desiree Washington. The guilty verdict for the former world heavyweight champion whose full name is Michael Gerard Tyson was decided by the Indiana Court on February 10, 1992.

Tyson, born in New York on June 30, 1966, is the youngest world champion in history. He won a 2nd round TKO over the reigning WBC champion, Trevor Berbick, a Jamaican boxer who lives in Canada in a fight in Las Vegas on November 22, 1986. At that time Tyson was 20 years and 4 months old. He broke the previous record, which was held by Floyd Patterson.

Tyson's career shot like a meteor. Less than a year, he has mastered all the existing heavyweight world championship belts by defeating James Smith (WBA) and Tony Tucker (IBF). After that he ran rampant by defeating top boxers like Michael Spinks, Larry Holmes, and Frank Bruno.

Mike Tyson and Robin Givens. (Photo: dailymail.co.uk)

Fame so quickly gained and abundant wealth, apparently unable to match the mental stability of young Tyson. His marriage to soap opera actress Robin Givens in 1987 broke down in 1988, before officially divorcing in 1989. Givens filed for divorce on the grounds that Tyson often committed domestic violence. Givens is also suing for $125 million in assets.

"Robin loves Michael Tyson, but there is constant violence and he is desperate to find safety," Marvin Mitchelson, Givens' attorney said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on October 8, 1988.

Decrease in Performance

The storm in Tyson's personal life affected his achievements as a professional athlete. He began to tear apart the management that had taken him to the highest ladder. The coach Kevin Rooney, whom he had always respected, was removed, as was Bill Clayton the manager. Tyson trains at will without a clear program, because he no longer has a coach and manager to manage all his needs.

The peak of his decline was when Tyson had to face James “Buster” Douglas. In the duel that was held at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan on February 11, 1990, Tyson was actually far superior. Prominent boxing commentators Larry Merchant and Jim Lampley called the Tyson vs Douglas fight "the next 90 seconds of massacre", referring to the KO victory over Spinks on 27 June 1988 which ended when round 1 lasted just 90 seconds.

Mike Tyson losing to James "Buster" Douglas in Tokyo on February 11, 1990. (Photo: World Boxing News)

It turned out that the final result of the Tyson vs Douglas match was 180 degrees inversely proportional. Douglas won by knockout in the 10th round, and Tyson lost for the first time in his career. Tyson is still trying to bounce back from defeat, winning four fights after Douglas. But his reckless life outside the ring finally made his struggle to return to the top destroyed.

Starting from a Beauty Contest

Tyson's rape case began with his attendance at the 1991 Miss Black America, a beauty pageant for black women held in Gary, Indiana on July 21, 1991. Tyson became acquainted with a participant who holds the title of Miss Black Rhode Island, Desiree Washington. Starting from just chatting during practice on July 19, Tyson invited Washington to come to the boxer's room at the Canterbury Hotel, Indianapolis.

Washington did come, but it wasn't long before the 18-year-old woman rushed out of the hotel. She admits that Tyson raped her. Tyson's own driver said Washington came out with a frightened face. This testimony was strengthened by a doctor's statement who confirmed that Washington's physical examination did show signs of rape.

Through his attorney, Vincent J. Fuller, Tyson denied Washington's accusations. He argued, Washington did want sex with Tyson. But the jury in Indiana Court thought otherwise. After 10 hours of debate, on February 10, 1992 a jury ruled that Tyson was convicted of rape.

Desiree Washington. (Photo: ABC)

Tyson was sentenced to six years on probation by judge Patricia J. Gifford. He was thrown into the Indiana Youth Center prison on March 26, 1992. But Tyson served only three years, and was released in March 1995.

"I didn't rape Desiree Washington. He knows that, God knows that, and the consequences of his actions are something he will have to live with for the rest of his life,” Tyson said in his 2013 autobiography, Undisputed Truth: My Autobiography.

Tyson continued his boxing career after being imprisoned, and managed to become world champion again in 1996 after defeating Frank Bruno (WBC) and Bruce Seldon (WBA). But he lost all titles in the same year after losing to Evander Holyfield on November 9, 1996.

Mike Tyson hangs up his boxing gloves after losing by TKO to unknown boxer Kevin McBride on June 11, 2005. After retiring, he entered the entertainment world as a movie star, stand up comedian, and owns the popular broadcast channel Hot Boxin' With Mike Tyson. He also founded Tyson Ranch, a cannabis plantation in Death Valley, California.