Called her mother. How a Ukrainian woman raised Mike Tyson — forced him to take out the garbage and allowed him to keep pigeons at home

Mike Tyson is a cult personality in boxing. One of the best ever, one of the most scandalous ever, one of the highest paid ever.

Ukrainian Kamila Evald, born Ivashchuk, left a noticeable mark in Mike’s biography. For many years, she became Tyson’s foster mother and closest person. Camila was the common-law wife of trainer Cas D’Amato, who turned a street bully into a champion.

Kamila was born in 1905 in the village of Staromyshchyna, Ternopil region – in the family of Hnat and Anastasia Ivashchuk. When the girl was 5 years old, her family moved to Canada, where she changed her last name to Ewald. When Kamila grew up, she went to work in the USA, where she later bought a huge house with 14 rooms in the town of Catskill, 160 km from New York. After World War II, Camila met Cas D’Amato—her sister was married to his brother. And soon Cas settled with Camila in Catskill. However, the couple did not officially legitimize their relationship, which D’Amato deeply regretted before his death.

In Catskill, a coach opened a boxing club for disadvantaged teenagers. Moreover, just on the roof of the police station. And Kamila’s big house became a permanent shelter for many boys. The couple had no children of their own.

Mike Tyson’s biography Undisputed Truth was published in 2014. In it, Mike writes: “I started coming to Cas to train every weekend. And then stayed in his house. There were other boxers who lived with Kas and his companion, the famous Ukrainian Kamila Ewald.”

Tyson was 14 years old when he met D’Amato. At that time, the future world champion was studying at a school for juvenile delinquents. His childhood was difficult. Lorna’s own mother provided in-home services to the men. The biological father, a taxi driver, Purcell Tyson, gave Mike nothing but a last name. And Lorna’s new roommate, Jimmy Kirkpatrick, was a pimp. “Curling [прізвисько Кіркпатріка] was a pimp, and Purcell was a humble taxi driver. I really wanted to be the son of a pimp, because in my neighborhood it has weight,” Tyson recalled about his childhood.

After meeting Tyson, D’Amato told his common-law wife: “Camilo, this is the one I’ve been waiting for all my life.”

Cass D’Amato and Mike Tyson / Photo: palestra.pescara.it

D’Amato never smiled and was strict with his wards. But Kamila surrounded them with care, baked goodies, delved into their problems. At the same time, the Ukrainian woman insisted that the young boxers help her around the house. Tyson had to take out the trash, which he was not happy about. But Cass explained to the future champion: “You know, Camila really wants you to help with the household. Personally, I don’t care if you help, but you should do the housework because it will make you a better boxer. Why? To do something you don’t like as if you adore it is a good temper for someone who aspires to greatness.”

Tyson’s own mother died when Mike was 16. After that, Cas D’Amato and Camila officially took custody of Mike. At home, D’Amato said, “Camillo, look at your son. What do you think about him?”. The Ukrainian woman came up and hugged Tyson. And he started calling her mom.

Camila supported Mike’s passion for pigeons and allowed him to set up a dovecote in her house. And also took Tyson’s side in the matter of marriage. A very young Mike was dating a girl named Angie and D’Amato wanted them to get married. Mike was against it. But the coach believed that it would have a good effect on the boxer’s character and career. Then Camila told Tyson, “Don’t even think about listening to Cas about marriage. You will have as many girls as you want, and you can choose the best one.”

Camila Ewald / Photo: findagrave.com

Cass D’Amato died of pneumonia in 1985, a year before Mike Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion in history. Before he died, D’Amato asked Mike, “Promise you’ll take care of Camila.”

They both cared about each other. Camila Ewald’s home was always open to Mike, where he could hide from the outside world in difficult times. “You treat him as if he is a machine and not a person with a soul,” a Ukrainian woman defended her adopted son to journalists.

Camila Ewald died in 2001 at the age of 96. “I am very lucky that she blessed me with her love and took care of me for most of my life. I will miss her terribly,” Tyson said at the farewell ceremony.

Graves of Cas D’Amato and Camila Ewald / Photo: findagrave.com