Those with an interest in World Championship Boxing would probably already know
whom the person is that I am writing about by the title of this article. The man in
question for those not that familiar with the sport of boxing is none other than the
former World Heavy Weight Boxing Champion – “Mike Tyson” who has often been
described by the above title.
What has Mike Tyson to do with racing pigeons you may ask? Well nothing really,
other than as some may know Mike Tyson is a pigeon fancier himself, although the
pigeons he keeps are not of the racing variety.
That aside, you may also ask why I am writing about “Iron Mike”? Well, in November
2012 Mike Tyson was conducting one of a series of seminars in various Australian
capital cities entitled “Day of the Champions”.
To cut to the chase, the Sydney hotel where Mike Tyson was staying and knowing of
his love of pigeons, thought it would be a nice welcoming gesture if he was
presented with a local fancier’s pigeon to handle and release. So in their effort to
find a fancier willing to participate they thought they would search the Internet to
see what they could find. Their search led them to the Central Cumberland Pigeon
Federation web page where the contact person listed was their Secretary, John
Jeffery. After making contact with the CCF Secretary they asked if he would like to
participate in their plan and provide a pigeon to present to Mike Tyson to release.
John Jeffery was more than happy to oblige, and as a result plans were made for the
pick-up of the bird. In the mean time John gave some thought as to which of his
pigeons he would make available, and as he had seen photos and video’s previously
re Mike Tyson and his pigeons he remembered that Mike Tyson kept mainly Reds
and Mealy coloured birds and as it turned out John had just the cock bird to send.
The staff at the hotel organised for one of their staff members to drive out to
Campbelltown to pick-up the pigeon and a courier to return the empty basket.
Mike Tyson was reportedly very surprised and happy to both handle and release the
pigeon from his hotel room balcony (refer to photos).
He was so pleased with the gestor that when the basket was returned to John Jeffery
there was included a surprise gift of thanks from Tyson that included photos of him
with the bird along with a special edition, personally signed Mike Tyson boxing glove
accompanied with a thankyou card from the hotel.
Needless to say John was very pleased with the gift and is now in the process of
having them framed professionally where it will no doubt go “straight to the
Poolroom”.
The pigeon by the way is a Mealy Pied Cock that has raced very successfully from
three different routes being clocked from several races and John told me that closely
related birds to this cock have won several prizes including All Bird Derby prizes.
This cock is now in stock and it is not surprising that he has now been named “Iron
Mike”.
In closing, I think it fitting to use two of Mike Tyson’s quotes. The first being –
“Be committed. Always test yourself”. And secondly – “Success is about being able
to sacrifice”.
Paul Gibbs