This may all be semantics, but if you read Tyson's history (try Wikipedia for an quick summary) it's hard to say he didn't waste his talent. He blew over $300 million in earnings and ended his boxing career in bankruptcy doing exhibition matches trying to pay off his debts. Then there were various felony convictions including one for rape.
His early life was a mess and Cus D'Amato took him under his wing, gave him structure, and made him a great fighter, and a fighter who respected his opponents.
He absolutely destroyed his opponents like none before him and like none since. He attacked from the opening bell and his goal always seemed to be a first round knockout. This video captures how he was all business in his early years and, quite poignantly, shows the concern he seemed to have for the welfare of his opponents after knocking them out:
He was seemingly on the road to recognition as the greatest (or at a minimum the most feared) fighter of all time before he detoured into an unfortunate series of life altering missteps. He was a smart guy who had had no parental guidance and likely lost his best chance at a good future when D'Amato died unexpectedly. D'Amato had been a stabilizing force in his life and gave him direction. Maybe it was listening to Don King and firing Kevin Rooney and Bill Cayton. But all the negative things in his career seemed to begin with King's influence on his life.
