Mike Tyson and ‘Rocky’ Star Sylvester Stallone Inducted into Boxing Hall of Fame

Controversial boxing star, "Iron Mike" Tyson, and the man who revived America's interest in boxing, Sylvester Stallone, were inducted into the boxing hall of fame over the weekend.

Without a doubt Tyson was one of the greatest heavyweights to hit the ring. He was the undisputed heavyweight champion and holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF world heavyweight titles. He won the WBC title when he was 20 years, 4 months and 22 days old. Tyson was famous for his intimidating and aggressive boxing style.

He was the first heavyweight boxer to ever hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles simultaneously. He is also the only Heavyweight boxer to  unify the WBC, WBA and IBF titles.

However, Tyson's personal life always made him a liability. In 1992 Tyson was convicted of rape and sentenced to 6 years in prison, but was released after 3 years. Tyson was also accused of beating his first wife Head of Class actress Robin Givens. In 2006 Tyson was arrested for DUI and Felony Drug Possession and was placed on probation and to avoid jail time he checked himself into a rehab clinic. Since then Tyson has been clean and appeared on various talk shows, films and he currently has a show on Animal Planet called Taking on Tyson where he breeds pigeons.

Tyson said this at the hall of fame ceremony:

"The air even smells different now. I feel like a dinosaur out here now. I was so consumed with that character of 'Iron Mike, the Baddest Man on the Planet.' I was imprisoned by that guy, but that guy is dead as ever. I never think about it until you bring it up. That's not my reality anymore. My reality is to take care of my bills, take care of my wife, take care of these kids." - ESPN.com

It seems like a safety net choice to pair Tyson with Stallone. Stallone, the director, writer and actor has had virtually no controversy in his career and has done a great deal to raise awareness and funds for autism after his son was born with the disease.

Stallone had this to say at his induction:

"I've never pretended to be a boxer. I don't possess those skills. What I do think I have is an understanding of what goes on outside the ring. Outside the ring is sometimes maybe an even bigger struggle than what goes on inside the ring, and I was able to capture that. Then I believe that you can identify more with the fighter." -AP

Tyson and Stallone are joined by Mexican champ Julio Cesar Chavez, Russian Junior welterweight Kostya Tszyu, Mexican trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain, and referee Joe Cortez in this class.