by Entrance Music from a Loss: “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor
No boxer’s career is defined solely by his losses, but some defeats leave a deeper mark than others. For Mike Tyson, one fight in particular seemed to represent a turning point – his 1990 bout against Buster Douglas in Tokyo. It was a shocking upset, as the previously undefeated Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by Douglas. At the time, Tyson was considered the best heavyweight in the world and Douglas a 42-1 underdog. The loss shattered Tyson’s aura of invincibility and sent his career into a downward spiral.
Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor might bring back difficult memories for Tyson. The song had become synonymous with Tyson’s intimidating entrance during his dominant run in the mid-1980s. With its pounding drums and lyrics about rising up from the depths to achieve victory, “Eye of the Tiger” perfectly captured the menacing yet focused persona Tyson cultivated. It was his signature anthem blasting throughout arenas as he stalked towards the ring, ready to dispatch yet another opponent.
However, on February 11th, 1990 in Tokyo, everything changed. As Tyson prepared to face Douglas that night, the familiar opening notes of “Eye of the Tiger” played one last time. But this time, it failed to strike fear into his opponent or lift Tyson’s confidence as it always had before. Over the ensuing 36 minutes, Douglas shocked the world by outboxing and eventually stopping the previously invincible Tyson. From that night on, “Eye of the Tiger” took on a new, bittersweet meaning for Tyson. Rather than symbolizing his dominance, it must have served as a painful reminder of the greatest defeat of his career. The song he once used to intimidate others had now become a symbol of his own vulnerability and humanity.
In the aftermath of the Douglas loss, Tyson’s career entered a period of turmoil marked by legal troubles, personal issues, and inconsistent performances in the ring. His aura of invincibility was shattered, and he would never fully regain it. To this day, it’s hard to imagine Tyson hearing “Eye of the Tiger” without thinking back to that cold night in Tokyo and the crushing defeat that served as a turning point in his life and career. For Tyson, the song will always be intrinsically linked with one of the most impactful losses of his boxing days.
Song Associated with a Rival: “Real American” by Rick Derringer
Every great boxer has rivals that help define their career. For Mike Tyson, one of his most storied and high-profile rivalries was with Evander Holyfield. Their two brutal fights in 1996 and 1997 are still remembered as among the most intense and controversial heavyweight title bouts. Perhaps no other opponent brought more intensity and bad blood out of Tyson than Holyfield.
It’s quite possible that to this day, Tyson still associates the song “Real American” by Rick Derringer with Holyfield. From 1984 to 1999, it served as Holyfield’s entrance music as he emerged from the dressing room and strode purposefully towards the ring. With its anthemic lyrics and synth melody, “Real American” perfectly captured Holyfield’s proud and patriotic persona. He embraced being called “The Real Deal” and took obvious pride in representing America with his blue-collar work ethic and relentless fighting spirit.
By the time Tyson and Holyfield finally met in 1996, their rivalry had been simmering for years. As Holyfield entered to “Real American” that night, it’s easy to imagine Tyson seething inside his locker room, eager to prove he was the true heavyweight king by defeating this man. Over the course of two brutal fights, their rivalry reached new heights of intensity. The infamous second bout, which ended when Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ears, may be the most heated and infamous heavyweight title fight in history.
To this day, the mere sound of “Real American” blaring could be enough to make Tyson’s blood boil as he thinks back to those two wars with Holyfield. Few opponents ever got so deeply under Tyson’s skin or brought out his darker, more uncontrollable emotions. The song Holyfield used as his anthem will always be linked to those turbulent times and serve as an audible reminder of Tyson’s most personal and heated rivalry during his boxing prime. It’s a song that still has the power to transport Tyson back to those intense fight nights over 25 years ago.
Pop Song with Controversial Lyrics: “Girls, Girls, Girls” by Mötley Crüe
Compared to many boxers past and present, Mike Tyson cultivated a colorful and controversial public image outside the ring as well. From his ferocious fighting style to his many high-profile legal issues, Tyson pushed boundaries and courted controversy. Given some of the more risqué aspects of his persona, it’s easy to imagine certain types of pop songs rubbing Tyson the wrong way.
A prime example could be “Girls, Girls, Girls” by the hair metal band Mötley Crüe. Released in 1987, it became one of the band’s most famous hits thanks to its catchy guitar riff and unabashed lyrics celebrating promiscuity, partying, and the excesses of rock star life. With lines like “I love all the colorful girls” and “I love goin’ down, I love feelin’ around,” the song pulls no punches in conveying its hedonistic themes.
For Tyson, who had a complicated personal history with women by that point in his life, it’s not hard to imagine why such lyrics may have struck a sour chord. His upbringing involved abuse and neglect from a young age. By the late 1980s, Tyson was embroiled in legal issues stemming from rape charges in Indiana (of which he was later convicted). Throughout his career, Tyson struggled with controlling his emotions and impulses, especially when it came to relationships.
So to hear a song so gleefully glorifying the objectification of women, with no regard for issues like consent or mutual respect, was likely grating. The irresponsible message promoted in “Girls, Girls, Girls” directly contradicted the image of responsibility, discipline and redemption Tyson strived for in his later career. It’s easy to picture Tyson changing the channel or radio station if ever confronted with the song, wanting to avoid anything reminding him of the toxic behaviors of his past or promoting a lifestyle he had left behind. For a man striving to overcome personal demons, “Girls, Girls, Girls” represented everything he didn’t want to be or go back to.
In Summary
Every athlete has certain songs that take on special meaning, whether from past victories or defeats. For Mike Tyson, a man whose career was defined by dramatic highs and lows, it’s easy to imagine specific tracks triggering complex memories and emotions. “Eye of the Tiger,” his signature entrance music, would forever symbolize the night it all fell apart. “Real American” could still stir the competitive fire that fueled his rivalry with Holyfield. And a song like “Girls, Girls, Girls,” with its irresponsible lyrics, may have hit too close to the toxic behaviors Tyson worked so hard to overcome. Music has the power to transport us to the past, for better or worse. For an iconic fighter like Tyson, certain songs will always be inextricably linked with the pivotal moments, intense rivalries, and personal demons that shaped his remarkable career and life story.
