FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 29, 2022
Contact: [email protected]
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Mike Tyson Hosts Event for Former Trainer,
Republican Tom Patti for Congress
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MIAMI BEACH, FL - It is not often that Black celebrities come out in support of a Republican, but Mike Tyson is proudly hosting an event at the Fontainebleau in Miami Beach this Friday, September 30 for his friend and former trainer, Tom Patti who is running for Congress in California. The event includes a private meet and greet at 6 PM and a moderated session with Q & A with Patti and the former champion at 8 PM.
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BACKGROUND: When Tyson was being trained by his mentor, the legendary Cus D’Amato, Patti was the only other boxer living and training alongside him. Like Tyson, Patti appeared destined for a successful professional career. He was a Golden Gloves champion before his nose was broken one too many times and he was forced to retire.
But he and Tyson have remained friends to this day, united by their love and respect for the great D’Amato and the lessons he taught. He used to tell the two young boxers, “Not all my fighters may become champions, but if you apply these principles in life as you do in the ring, you will be successful no matter what you choose to do.” Patti had already seen that lesson firsthand as D’Amato had previously trained his father alongside legendary boxer Floyd Patterson.
The two recently reconnected in the boxing ring with Patti helping to train Tyson for his comeback fight against Roy Jones Jr. two years ago. And now, 35 years after their time in the Catskills together, they are fighting a new fight in the political arena.
PATTI RUNS FOR CONGRESS: The campaign launched last year with a fundraising dinner hosted by Tyson. Patti credits Tyson for getting him into politics. “I used to complain to Mike about the direction I saw our country going in and Mike said, ‘Tom, you are always talking about these things, why don’t you go do something about it?’” Patti said. So, he decided to run for the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors. Tyson gave Patti his first donation. Patti won and has not looked back. He won reelection two years ago, and is now seeking to flip a Congressional seat in the Stockton area from blue to red.
TYSON A CONSERVATIVE? Tyson himself has also been stirring the pot of late. He gave an interview to Greta Van Susteren in which he explained his recent switch to being a conservative. “As I get older, and I look at my children, and I see what’s out there in the world, I get a little conservative… it’s common sense, looking at the world we have now, you want safety,” he told her.
At the same time, Tyson acknowledged the risk he was taking in saying anything. “The last time I tried to talk politics [publicly], wow, did they give me a beating,” said Tyson. “I now stay away from politics and religion. They stole my freedom of speech.”
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About Supervisor Tom Patti: Tom was raised in San Joaquin County and has run a successful local business for decades. He was elected to the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors in 2016 by an overwhelming margin.
As a County Supervisor, community volunteer, and parent, Tom has worked and dedicated his efforts to safer neighborhoods, demanded real action to reduce homelessness, and advocated for improving the quality, accessibility, and availability of local healthcare.
Tom Patti has worked hard to support veterans, improve and fund our community colleges, support our farmers, advanced workforce equity and created many new job opportunities.
Learn more by visiting www.TomPattiForCongress.com
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