Mike Tyson
Template:Short description Template:Other people Template:Pp-vandalism Template:Pp-move Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox boxer
Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who competed primarily between 1985 and 2005. Nicknamed "Iron Mike"<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and "Kid Dynamite" in his early career, and later known as "the Baddest Man on the Planet",<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Tyson is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990.
Tyson won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round. Claiming his first belt at 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old, Tyson holds the record as the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Council (WBC), and International Boxing Federation (IBF) titles, as well as the only heavyweight to unify them in succession. The following year, Tyson became the lineal champion when he knocked out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds of the first round.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1990, Tyson lost the undisputed heavyweight championship when he was knocked out by underdog Buster Douglas, making it one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>
In 1992, he was convicted of rape and sentenced to six years in prison. He was released on parole after three years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After his release in 1995, he engaged in a series of comeback fights, regaining the WBA and WBC titles in 1996 to join Floyd Patterson, Muhammad Ali, Tim Witherspoon, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman as the only men in boxing history to have regained a heavyweight championship after losing it. After being stripped of the WBC title in the same year, Tyson lost the WBA title to Evander Holyfield by an eleventh round stoppage. Their 1997 rematch ended when Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield's ears. In 2002, Tyson fought for the world heavyweight title, losing by knockout to Lennox Lewis. In November 2024, his bout against Jake Paul, which he lost via unanimous decision, became the biggest boxing gate in US history outside of Las Vegas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="espn">Template:Cite web</ref>
Tyson was known for his ferocious and intimidating boxing style as well as his controversial behavior inside and outside the ring, which he explained was inspired by Sonny Liston, a boxer who is widely regarded as the most intimidating man in the history of boxing.<ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> With a knockout-to-win percentage of 88%,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> he was ranked 16th on The Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and first on ESPN's list of "The Hardest Hitters in Heavyweight History".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sky Sports described him as "perhaps the most ferocious fighter to step into a professional ring".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Outside his boxing career, Tyson has appeared in various popular media. He appeared in the well-received movies Rocky Balboa (2006) and The Hangover (2009).
Early life
[edit]Michael Gerard Tyson was born in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York City, on June 30, 1966.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="McNeil-2014">Template:Cite book</ref> He has an older brother named Rodney (born Template:Circa)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and had an older sister named Denise, who died of a heart attack at age 24 in February 1990.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tyson's mother, born in Charlottesville, Virginia,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> was described as a promiscuous woman who might have been a prostitute.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson's biological father is listed as "Purcell Tyson", a "humble cab driver" (who was from Jamaica) on his birth certificate,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but the man Tyson had known as his father was a pimp named Jimmy Kirkpatrick. Kirkpatrick was from Grier Town, North Carolina (a predominantly black neighborhood that was annexed by the city of Charlotte),<ref>Template:Citation</ref> where he was one of the neighborhood's top baseball players. Kirkpatrick married and had a son, Tyson's half-brother Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick, who would help to integrate Charlotte high school football in 1965. In 1959, Jimmy Kirkpatrick left his family and moved to Brooklyn, where he met Tyson's mother, Lorna Mae (Smith) Tyson. Kirkpatrick frequented pool halls, gambled and hung out on the streets. "My father was just a regular street guy caught up in the street world," Tyson said. Kirkpatrick abandoned the Tyson family around the time Mike was born, leaving Tyson's mother to care for the children on her own.<ref name="Puma">Puma, Mike., Sportscenter Biography: 'Iron Mike' explosive in and out of ring Template:Webarchive, ESPN.com, October 10, 2005. Retrieved March 27, 2007</ref> Kirkpatrick died in 1992.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
The family lived in Bedford-Stuyvesant until their financial burdens necessitated a move to Brownsville when Tyson was 10 years old.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Throughout his childhood, Tyson lived in and around neighborhoods with a high rate of crime. According to an interview in Details, his first fight was with a bigger youth who had pulled the head off one of Tyson's pigeons.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tyson was repeatedly caught committing petty crimes and fighting those who ridiculed his high-pitched voice and lisp. By the age of 13, he had been arrested 38 times.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He ended up at the Tryon School for Boys in Johnstown, New York. Tyson's emerging boxing ability was discovered there by Bobby Stewart, a juvenile detention center counselor and former boxer. Stewart considered Tyson to be an outstanding fighter and trained him for a few months before introducing him to boxing manager and trainer Cus D'Amato.<ref name="Puma" /> Tyson dropped out of high school as a junior.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> He was later awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Central State University in 1989.<ref name="nyt1989">Template:Cite news</ref> Kevin Rooney also trained Tyson, and he was occasionally assisted by Teddy Atlas, although Atlas was dismissed by D'Amato when Tyson was 15. Rooney eventually took over all training duties for the young fighter.<ref>Template:Usurped, NetWorthCity.com. Retrieved May 30, 2014.</ref>
Tyson's mother died when he was 16, leaving him in the care of D'Amato, who would become his legal guardian. Tyson later said, "I never saw my mother happy with me and proud of me for doing something: she only knew me as being a wild kid running the streets, coming home with new clothes that she knew I didn't pay for. I never got a chance to talk to her or know about her. Professionally, it has no effect, but it's crushing emotionally and personally."<ref>Mike Tyson Quotes Template:Webarchive. Kjkolb.tripod.com. Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref>
Amateur career
[edit]As an amateur, Tyson won gold medals at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympic Games, defeating Joe Cortez in 1981 and beating Kelton Brown in 1982. Brown's corner threw in the towel in the first round. In 1984 Tyson won the gold medal at the Nation Golden Gloves held in New York, beating Jonathan Littles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He fought Henry Tillman twice as an amateur, losing both bouts by decision. Tillman went on to win heavyweight gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.<ref>Foreman and Tyson Book a Doubleheader Template:Webarchive, N.Y. Times article, 1990-05-01, Retrieved on August 10, 2013</ref>
Professional career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Tyson made his professional debut as an 18-year-old on March 6, 1985, in Albany, New York. He defeated Hector Mercedes via first-round TKO.<ref name="Puma" /> He had 15 bouts in his first year as a professional. Fighting frequently, Tyson won 26 of his first 28 fights by KO or TKO; 16 of those came in the first round.<ref name="rec_0">"Iron" Mike Tyson Template:Webarchive, Cyberboxingzone.com Boxing record. Retrieved April 27, 2007.</ref> The quality of his opponents gradually increased to journeyman fighters and borderline contenders,<ref name="rec_0" /> like James Tillis, David Jaco, Jesse Ferguson, Mitch Green, and Marvis Frazier. His win streak attracted media attention and Tyson was billed as the next great heavyweight champion. D'Amato died in November 1985, relatively early into Tyson's professional career, and some speculate that his death was the catalyst to many of the troubles Tyson was to experience as his life and career progressed.<ref>Hornfinger, Cus D'Amato Template:Webarchive, SaddoBoxing.com. Retrieved March 27, 2007.</ref>
Rise up the ranks
[edit]Tyson's first nationally televised bout took place on February 16, 1986, at Houston Field House in Troy, New York, against journeyman heavyweight Jesse Ferguson, and was carried by ABC Sports. Tyson knocked down Ferguson with an uppercut in the fifth round that broke Ferguson's nose.<ref>Oates, Joyce C., Mike Tyson Template:Webarchive, Life Magazine via author's website, November 22, 1986. Retrieved March 11, 2007.</ref> During the sixth round, Ferguson began to hold and clinch Tyson in an apparent attempt to avoid further punishment. After admonishing Ferguson several times to obey his commands to box, the referee finally stopped the fight near the middle of the sixth round. The fight was initially ruled a win for Tyson by disqualification (DQ) of his opponent. The ruling was "adjusted" to a win by technical knockout (TKO) after Tyson's corner protested that a DQ win would end Tyson's string of knockout victories, and that a knockout would have been the inevitable result.
In July, after recording six more knockout victories, Tyson fought former world title challenger Marvis Frazier in Glens Falls, New York, on another ABC Sports broadcast. Tyson won easily, charging at Frazier at the opening bell and hitting him with two consecutive uppercuts, the second of which knocked Frazier unconscious thirty seconds into the fight.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After his win over Frazier, Tyson was booked to fight José Ribalta at the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1986.<ref name="Mike Tyson: Facing a Giant">Template:Cite news</ref> Ribalta would hit Tyson in the body throughout the fight. Tyson knocked down Ribalta three times in the 2nd, 8th, and 10th round when the referee called the fight off. Tyson would go on to say that Ribalta was his toughest fight commenting, "I hit Jose Ribalta with everything, and he took everything and kept coming back for more. Jose Ribalta stood toe to toe with me. He was very strong in the clinches," and "Ribalta was a game fighter who actually engaged me. I felt nauseous from all Ribalta’s body blows, even hours after the fight. I never felt that much general pain again."<ref name="Mike Tyson: Facing a Giant"/>
WBC heavyweight champion
[edit]Tyson vs. Berbick
[edit]Template:See also On November 22, 1986, Tyson was given his first title fight against Trevor Berbick for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight championship. Tyson won the title by TKO in the second round, and at the age of 20 years and 4 months became the youngest heavyweight champion in history.<ref>Pinnington, Samuel., Template:Usurped, Britishboxing.net, January 31, 2007. Retrieved March 11, 2007.</ref> He added the WBA and IBF titles after defeating James Smith and Tony Tucker in 1987. Tyson's dominant performances brought many accolades. Donald Saunders wrote: "The noble and manly art of boxing can at least cease worrying about its immediate future, now [that] it has discovered a heavyweight champion fit to stand alongside Dempsey, Tunney, Louis, Marciano, and Ali."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Tyson intimidated fighters with his strength, combined with outstanding hand speed, accuracy, coordination and timing.<ref>Para, Murali., "Iron" Mike Tyson – His Place in History Template:Webarchive, Eastsideboxing.com, September 25. Retrieved April 17, 2007.</ref> Tyson also possessed notable defensive abilities, holding his hands high in the peek-a-boo style taught by his mentor Cus D'Amato<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="peekaboo" /> to slip under and weave around his opponent's punches while timing his own.<ref name="peekaboo">Richmann What If Mike Tyson And Kevin Rooney Reunited? Template:Webarchive, Saddoboxing.com, February 24, 2006. Retrieved April 17, 2007.</ref> Tyson's explosive punching technique was due in large part to crouching immediately prior to throwing a hook or an uppercut: this allowed the "spring" of his legs to add power to the punch.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Among his signature moves was a right hook to his opponent's body followed by a right uppercut to his opponent's chin. Lorenzo Boyd, Jesse Ferguson and José Ribalta were each knocked down by this combination.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Unified heavyweight champion
[edit]Tyson vs. Smith, Thomas
[edit]Template:See also Expectations for Tyson were extremely high, and he was the favorite to win the heavyweight unification series, a tournament designed to establish an undisputed heavyweight champion. Tyson defended his title against James Smith on March 7, 1987, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He won by unanimous decision and added Smith's World Boxing Association (WBA) title to his existing belt.<ref>Berger, Phil (1987), "Tyson Unifies W.B.C.-W.B.A. Titles", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late City Final Edition, Section 5, Page 1, Column 4, March 8, 1987.</ref> "Tyson-mania" in the media was becoming rampant.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He beat Pinklon Thomas in May by TKO in the sixth round.<ref>Berger, Phil (1987), "Tyson Retains Title On Knockout In Sixth", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late City Final Edition, Section 5, Page 1, Column 2, May 31, 1987.</ref>
Undisputed heavyweight champion
[edit]
Tyson vs. Tucker
[edit]Template:See also On August 1 he took the International Boxing Federation (IBF) title from Tony Tucker in a twelve-round unanimous decision 119–111, 118–113, and 116–112.<ref>Berger, Phil (1987), "Boxing — Tyson Undisputed And Unanimous Titlist", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late City Final Edition, Section 1, Page 51, Column 1, August 2, 1987.</ref> He became the first heavyweight to own all three major belts – WBA, WBC, and IBF – at the same time.
Tyson vs. Biggs, Holmes, Tubbs
[edit]Another fight, in October of that year, ended with a victory for Tyson over 1984 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Tyrell Biggs by TKO in the seventh round.<ref>Berger, Phil (1987), "Tyson Retains Title In 7 Rounds", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late City Final Edition, Section 1, Page 51, Column 1, October 17, 1987.</ref>
During this time, Tyson came to the attention of gaming company Nintendo. After witnessing one of Tyson's fights, Nintendo of America president Minoru Arakawa was impressed by the fighter's "power and skill", prompting him to suggest Tyson be included in the upcoming Nintendo Entertainment System port of the Punch-Out!! arcade game. In 1987, Nintendo released Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, which was well received and sold more than a million copies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has retrospectively been considered one of the greatest games of all-time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tyson had three fights in 1988. He faced Larry Holmes on January 22, 1988, and defeated the legendary former champion by KO in the fourth round.<ref>Berger, Phil (1988), "Tyson Keeps Title With 3 Knockdowns in Fourth", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late City Final Edition, Section 1, Page 47, Column 5, January 23, 1988.</ref> This was the only knockout loss Holmes had in 75 professional bouts.
In March, Tyson then fought contender Tony Tubbs in Tokyo, Japan, fitting in an easy second-round TKO victory amid promotional and marketing work.<ref>Shapiro, Michael. (1988), "Tubbs's Challenge Was Brief and Sad", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late City Final Edition, Section A, Page 29, Column 1, March 22, 1988.</ref>
Tyson vs. Spinks
[edit]Template:See also On June 27, 1988, Tyson faced Michael Spinks. Spinks, who had taken the heavyweight championship from Larry Holmes via fifteen-round decision in 1985, had not lost his title in the ring but was not recognized as champion by the major boxing organizations. Holmes had previously given up all but the IBF title, and that was eventually stripped from Spinks after he elected to fight Gerry Cooney (winning by TKO in the fifth round) rather than IBF Number 1 Contender Tony Tucker, as the Cooney fight provided him a larger purse. However, Spinks did become the lineal champion by beating Holmes and many (including Ring magazine) considered him to have a legitimate claim to being the true heavyweight champion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The bout was, at the time, the richest fight in history and expectations were very high. Boxing pundits were predicting a titanic battle of styles, with Tyson's aggressive infighting conflicting with Spinks's skillful out-boxing and footwork. The fight ended after 91 seconds when Tyson knocked Spinks out in the first round; many consider this to be the pinnacle of Tyson's fame and boxing ability.<ref>Berger, Phil. (1988), "Tyson Knocks Out Spinks at 1:31 of Round 1", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late City Final Edition, Section B, Page 7, Column 5, June 28, 1988.</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
During this period, Tyson's problems outside the ring were also beginning to emerge. His marriage to Robin Givens was heading for divorce,<ref name="divorc1">Sports People: Boxing; Tyson and Givens: Divorce Is Official Template:Webarchive, AP via New York Times, June 2, 1989. Retrieved April 17, 2007.</ref> and his future contract was being fought over by Don King and Bill Cayton.<ref>Sports People: Boxing; King Accuses Cayton Template:Webarchive, The New York Times, January 20, 1989. Retrieved April 17, 2007.</ref> In late 1988, Tyson parted with manager Bill Cayton and fired longtime trainer Kevin Rooney, the man many credit for honing Tyson's craft after the death of D'Amato.<ref name="peekaboo" /> Following Rooney's departure, critics alleged that Tyson began to show less head movement and combination punching.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Tyson vs. Bruno, Carl Williams
[edit]In 1989, Tyson had only two fights amid personal turmoil. He faced the British boxer Frank Bruno in February. Bruno managed to stun Tyson at the end of the first round,<ref>Bruno vs Tyson Template:Webarchive, BBC TV. Retrieved March 26, 2007.</ref> although Tyson went on to knock Bruno out in the fifth round. Tyson then knocked out Carl "The Truth" Williams in the first round in July.<ref>Berger, Phil (1989), "Tyson Stuns Williams With Knockout in 1:33", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late Edition-Final, Section 1, Page 45, Column 2, July 22, 1989.</ref>
Tyson vs. Douglas
[edit]Template:See also By 1990, Tyson seemed to have lost direction, and his personal life was in disarray amidst reports of less vigorous training prior to the Buster Douglas match.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In a fight on February 11, 1990, he lost the undisputed championship to Douglas in Tokyo.<ref name="Kincade">Kincade, Kevin., "The Moments": Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas Template:Webarchive, Eastsideboxing.com, July 12, 2005. Retrieved March 26, 2007.</ref> Tyson was a huge betting favorite; indeed, the Mirage, the only casino to put out odds for the fight, made Tyson a 42/1 favorite. Tyson failed to find a way past Douglas's quick jab that had a Template:Convert reach advantage over his own.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tyson did catch Douglas with an uppercut in the eighth round and knocked him to the floor, but Douglas recovered sufficiently to hand Tyson a heavy beating in the subsequent two rounds. After the fight, the Tyson camp would complain that the count was slow and that Douglas had taken longer than ten seconds to get back on his feet.<ref>Bellfield, Lee., Buster Douglas – Mike Tyson 1990 Template:Webarchive, Saddoboxing.com, February 16, 2006. Retrieved April 25, 2007.</ref> Just 35 seconds into the tenth round, Douglas unleashed a brutal uppercut, followed by a four-punch combination of hooks that knocked Tyson down for the first time in his career. He was counted out by referee Octavio Meyran.<ref name="Kincade" />
The knockout victory by Douglas over Tyson, the previously undefeated "baddest man on the planet" and arguably the most feared boxer in professional boxing at that time, has been described as one of the most shocking upsets in modern sports history.<ref>Staff, Page 2's List for top upset in sports history Template:Webarchive, ESPN.com, May 23, 2001. Retrieved March 26, 2007.</ref>
Return to the ring
[edit]Template:Main Despite the shocking loss, Tyson has said that losing to Douglas was the greatest moment of his career: "I needed that fight to make me a better person and fighter. I have a broader perspective of myself and boxing."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
After the loss, Tyson recovered with first-round knockouts of Henry Tillman<ref>Berger, Phil (1990), "Tyson Wins in 1st Round", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late Edition-Final, Section 8, Page 7, Column 4, June 17, 1990.</ref> and Alex Stewart<ref>Berger, Phil (1990), "BOXING; Tyson Scores Round 1 Victory", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late Edition-Final, Section 8, Page 1, Column 5, December 9, 1990.</ref> in his next two fights. Tyson's victory over Tillman, the 1984 Olympic heavyweight gold medalist, enabled Tyson to avenge his amateur losses at Tillman's hands. These bouts set up an elimination match for another shot at the undisputed world heavyweight championship, which Evander Holyfield had taken from Douglas in his first defense of the title.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Tyson vs. Ruddock
[edit]Template:Main Tyson, who was the number one contender, faced number two contender Donovan "Razor" Ruddock on March 18, 1991, in Las Vegas. Ruddock was seen as the most dangerous heavyweight around and was thought of as one of the hardest punching heavyweights. Tyson and Ruddock went back and forth for most of the fight, until referee Richard Steele controversially stopped the fight during the seventh round in favor of Tyson. This decision infuriated the fans in attendance, sparking a post-fight melee in the audience. The referee had to be escorted from the ring.<ref>Bellfield, Lee., March 1991-Mike Tyson vs. Razor Ruddock Template:Webarchive, Saddoboxing.com, March 13, 2005. Retrieved March 15, 2007.</ref>
Tyson vs. Ruddock II
[edit]Template:Main Tyson and Ruddock met again on June 28 that year, with Tyson knocking down Ruddock twice and winning a twelve-round unanimous decision 113–109, 114–108, and 114–108.<ref>Berger, Phil (1991), "Tyson Floors Ruddock Twice and Wins Rematch", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late Edition-Final, Section 1, Page 29, Column 5, June 29, 1991.</ref> A fight between Tyson and Holyfield for the undisputed championship was scheduled for November 8, 1991, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, but Tyson pulled out after sustaining a rib cartilage injury during training.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Comeback
[edit]Template:Main Tyson was convicted of the rape charge on February 10, 1992, and was released in 1995. After being paroled from prison, Tyson easily won his comeback bouts against Peter McNeeley and Buster Mathis Jr. Tyson's first comeback fight was marketed as "He's back!"<ref name="Mike Tyson: Facing a Giant"/> and grossed more than US$96 million worldwide, including a United States record $63 million for PPV television. The viewing of the fight was purchased by 1.52 million homes, setting both PPV viewership and revenue records.<ref>Sports People: Boxing; Record Numbers for Fight Template:Webarchive, AP via New York Times, September 1, 2005. Retrieved March 31, 2007.</ref> The 89-second fight elicited criticism that Tyson's management lined up "tomato cans" to ensure easy victories for his return.<ref>Sandomir, Richard (1995), "TV Sports; Who Must Tyson Face Next? A Finer Brand of Tomato Can", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late Edition – Final, Section B, Page 8, Column 1, August 22, 1995.</ref> TV Guide included the Tyson–McNeeley fight in their list of the 50 Greatest TV Sports Moments of All Time in 1998.<ref>"50 Greatest TV Sports Moments of All Time", TV Guide, July 11, 1998</ref>
Second reign as unified heavyweight champion
[edit]Tyson vs. Bruno II, Seldon
[edit]Tyson regained one belt by easily winning the WBC title against Frank Bruno in March 1996. It was the second fight between the two, and Tyson knocked out Bruno in the third round.<ref>Bellfield, Lee., March 1996 – Frank Bruno vs. Mike Tyson II Template:Webarchive, Saddoboxing.com, March 18, 2005. Retrieved March 26, 2007.</ref> In 1996, Lennox Lewis turned down a $13.5 million guarantee to fight Tyson. This would've been Lewis's highest fight purse to date. Lewis then accepted $4 million from Don King to step aside and allow Tyson to fight Bruce Seldon for an expected $30 million instead with the intention that if Tyson defeated Seldon, he would fight Lewis next.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tyson added the WBA belt by defeating champion Seldon in the first round in September that year. Seldon was severely criticized and mocked in the popular press for seemingly collapsing to innocuous punches from Tyson.<ref>Gordon, Randy., Tyson-Seldon 1–1–1–1–1 Template:Webarchive, Cyberboxingzone.com, September 4, 1996. Retrieved March 26, 2007.</ref>
Tyson vs. Holyfield
[edit]Template:Main Tyson attempted to defend the WBA title against Evander Holyfield, who was in the fourth fight of his own comeback. Holyfield had retired in 1994 following the loss of his championship to Michael Moorer. It was said that Don King and others saw former champion Holyfield, who was 34 at the time of the fight and a huge underdog, as a washed-up fighter.<ref>Cohen, Andrew., Evander Holyfield: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves, What is Enlightenment Magazine, Issue No. 15, 1999. Retrieved March 25, 2007. Template:Webarchive</ref>
On November 9, 1996, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tyson faced Holyfield in a title bout dubbed "Finally". In a surprising turn of events, Holyfield, who was given virtually no chance to win by numerous commentators,<ref>Shetty, Sanjeev., Holyfield makes history Template:Webarchive, BBC Sports, December 26, 2001. Retrieved April 17, 2007.</ref> defeated Tyson by TKO when referee Mitch Halpern stopped the bout in round eleven.<ref>Katsilometes, John., Holyfield knocks fight out of Tyson Template:Webarchive, Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 10, 1996. Retrieved April 18, 2007.</ref> Holyfield became the second boxer to win a heavyweight championship belt three times. Holyfield's victory was marred by allegations from Tyson's camp of Holyfield's frequent headbutts<ref name="AP-Canoe-1997">Template:Usurped, AP via Canoe.ca, June 26, 1997. Retrieved April 18, 2007.</ref> during the bout. Although the headbutts were ruled accidental by the referee,<ref name="AP-Canoe-1997" /> they would become a point of contention in the rematch.<ref name="butt1">Tyson: 'I'd bite again' Template:Webarchive, BBC Sports, October 4, 1999. Retrieved April 18, 2007.</ref>
Post-title career
[edit]Tyson vs. Holyfield II
[edit]Template:Main Tyson and Holyfield fought again on June 28, 1997. Originally, Halpern was supposed to be the referee, but after Tyson's camp protested, Halpern stepped aside in favor of Mills Lane.<ref>Template:Usurped, AP via Slam! Boxing, June 29, 1997. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> The highly anticipated rematch was dubbed The Sound and the Fury, and it was held at the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena, site of the first bout. It was a lucrative event, drawing even more attention than the first bout and grossing $100 million. Tyson received $30 million and Holyfield $35 million, the highest paid professional boxing purses until 2007.<ref>Template:Usurped, AP via Slam! Boxing, June 25, 1997. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref><ref name="Dahlberg">Dahlberg, Tim. De La Hoya-Mayweather becomes richest fight in boxing history Template:Webarchive, AP via International Herald Tribune, May 9, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2007.</ref> The fight was purchased by 1.99 million households, setting a pay-per-view buy rate record that stood until May 5, 2007, being surpassed by Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.<ref name="Dahlberg" /><ref name="Umstead-2007">Template:Cite magazine</ref>
Soon to become one of the most controversial events in modern sports,<ref>ESPN25: Sports Biggest Controversies, ESPN.com. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> the fight was stopped at the end of the third round, with Tyson disqualified<ref>Template:Usurped, AP via Slam! Boxing, June 29, 1997. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> for biting Holyfield on both ears. The first time Tyson bit him, the match was temporarily stopped. Referee Mills Lane deducted two points from Tyson and the fight resumed. However, after the match resumed, Tyson bit him again, resulting in his disqualification, and Holyfield won the match. The first bite was severe enough to remove a piece of Holyfield's right ear, which was found on the ring floor after the fight.<ref>Buffery, Steve., Template:Usurped, The Toronto Sun via Slam! Boxing, June 29, 1997. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> Tyson later stated that his actions were retaliation for Holyfield repeatedly headbutting him without penalty.<ref name="butt1" /> In the confusion that followed the ending of the bout and announcement of the decision, a near riot occurred in the arena and several people were injured.<ref>Template:Usurped, AP via Slam! Boxing, June 29, 1997. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> Tyson Holyfield II was the first heavyweight title fight in over 50 years to end in a disqualification.<ref>YouTube "Tyson vs Holyfield 2 full fight 18 min. 49 sec" Template:Webarchive</ref>
As a fallout from the incident, US$3 million was immediately withheld from Tyson's $30-million purse by the Nevada state boxing commission (the most it could legally hold back at the time).<ref>Buffery, Steve., Template:Usurped, The Toronto Sun via Slam! Boxing, June 29, 1997. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> Two days after the fight, Tyson issued a statement,<ref>Template:Usurped, AP via Slam! Boxing, July 30, 1997. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> apologizing to Holyfield for his actions and asked not to be banned for life over the incident.<ref>Template:Usurped, AP via Slam! Boxing, July 30, 1997. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref> Tyson was roundly condemned in the news media but was not without defenders. Novelist and commentator Katherine Dunn wrote a column that criticized Holyfield's sportsmanship in the controversial bout and charged the news media with being biased against Tyson.<ref>Dunn, Katherine. Defending Tyson Template:Webarchive, PDXS via cyberboxingzone.com, July 9, 1997. Retrieved April 18, 2007.</ref>
On July 9, 1997, Tyson's boxing license was rescinded by the Nevada State Athletic Commission in a unanimous voice vote; he was also fined US$3 million and ordered to pay the legal costs of the hearing.<ref>Template:Usurped, AP via Slam! Boxing, July 9, 1997. Retrieved March 10, 2007.</ref> As most state athletic commissions honor sanctions imposed by other states, this effectively made Tyson unable to box in the United States. The revocation was not permanent, as the commission voted 4–1 to restore Tyson's boxing license on October 18, 1998.<ref>Mike Tyson timeline Template:Webarchive, ESPN, January 29, 2002. Retrieved March 9, 2007.</ref>
During his time away from boxing in 1998, Tyson made a guest appearance at WrestleMania XIV as an enforcer for the main event match between Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin. During this time, Tyson was also an unofficial member of Michaels's stable, D-Generation X. Tyson was paid $3 million for being guest enforcer of the match at WrestleMania XIV.<ref>Template:IMDb name</ref>
Template:Main Template:Quote box
In January 1999, Tyson returned to the ring for a match against the South African Francois Botha. This match also ended in controversy. While Botha initially controlled the fight, Tyson allegedly attempted to break Botha's arms during a tie-up and both boxers were cautioned by the referee in the ill-tempered bout. Botha was ahead on points on all scorecards and was confident enough to mock Tyson as the fight continued. Nonetheless, Tyson landed a straight right hand in the fifth round that knocked out Botha.<ref>Rusty Tyson finds the perfect punch Template:Webarchive, BBC News, January 17, 1999. Retrieved March 26, 2007.</ref> Critics noticed Tyson stopped using the bob and weave defense altogether following this return.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Promoting the fight on Secaucus, New Jersey television station WWOR-TV, Tyson launched into an expletive-laden tirade that forced sports anchor Russ Salzberg to cut the interview short.<ref>Tyson Blows His Top At Interview Template:Webarchive, CBS News, January 13, 1999. Retrieved March 23, 2021.</ref>
Legal problems arose with Tyson once again. On February 5, 1999, Tyson was sentenced to a year's imprisonment, fined $5,000, and ordered to serve two years probation along with undergoing 200 hours of community service for assaulting two motorists after a traffic accident on August 31, 1998.<ref>Tyson jailed over road rage Template:Webarchive, BBC News, February 6, 1999. Retrieved March 27, 2007.</ref> He served nine months of that sentence. After his release, he fought Orlin Norris on October 23, 1999. Tyson knocked down Norris with a left hook thrown after the bell sounded to end the first round. Norris injured his knee when he went down and said that he was unable to continue. Consequently, the bout was ruled a no contest.<ref>Feour, Royce., No-contest; more trouble Template:Webarchive, Las Vegas Review-Journal, October 24, 1999. Retrieved March 15, 2007.</ref>
In 2000, Tyson had three fights. The first match in January was staged at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England against Julius Francis. Following controversy as to whether Tyson was allowed into the country, he took four minutes to knock out Francis, ending the bout in the second round.<ref>Tyson wastes little time Template:Webarchive, BBC Sport, January 30, 2000. Retrieved March 14, 2007.</ref> He also fought Lou Savarese in June 2000 in Glasgow, winning in the first round; the fight lasted only 38 seconds. Tyson continued punching after the referee had stopped the fight, knocking the referee to the floor as he tried to separate the boxers.<ref>Tyson fight ends in farce Template:Webarchive, BBC Sport, June 25, 2000. Retrieved March 14, 2007.</ref> It was after this fight that Tyson called out Lennox Lewis with his post fight speech proclaiming to be the "best ever" and declaring, "I’m Sonny Liston. I’m Jack Dempsey … I’m cut from their cloth."<ref name="Mike Tyson: Facing a Giant"/> In October, Tyson fought the similarly controversial Andrew Golota,<ref>Gregg, John., Iron Mike Makes Golota Quit Template:Webarchive, BoxingTimes.com, October 20, 2000. Retrieved March 14, 2007.</ref> winning in round three after Gołota was unable to continue due to a broken cheekbone, concussion, and neck injury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The result was later changed to no contest after Tyson refused to take a pre-fight drug test and then tested positive for marijuana in a post-fight urine test.<ref>Associated Press. (2001), "PLUS: BOXING; Tyson Tests Positive For Marijuana", The New York Times, Sports Desk, Late City Final Edition, Section D, Page 5, Column 4, January 19, 2001.</ref> Tyson fought only once in 2001, beating Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen by TKO in the seventh round.<ref>Brutal Tyson wins in seven Template:Webarchive, BBC Sport, October 14, 2001. Retrieved March 25, 2007.</ref>
Tyson vs. Lewis
[edit]Template:Main Tyson once again had the opportunity to fight for a heavyweight championship in 2002. Lennox Lewis held the WBC, IBF, IBO and Lineal titles at the time. As promising fighters, Tyson and Lewis had sparred at a training camp in a meeting arranged by Cus D'Amato in 1984.<ref>Rafael, Dan., Lewis vs. Tyson: The prequel Template:Webarchive, USA Today, June 3, 2002. Retrieved April 25, 2007.</ref> Tyson sought to fight Lewis in Nevada for a more lucrative box-office venue, but the Nevada Boxing Commission refused him a license to box as he was facing possible sexual assault charges at the time.<ref>Mike Tyson rap sheet, CBC.ca, January 12, 2007. Retrieved April 25, 2007.</ref>
Two years prior to the bout, Tyson had made several inflammatory remarks to Lewis in an interview following the Savarese fight. The remarks included the statement "I want your heart, I want to eat your children."<ref>York, Anthony., "I want to eat your children, ... Template:Webarchive, Salon.com, June 28, 2000. Retrieved March 26, 2007.</ref> On January 22, 2002, the two boxers and their entourages were involved in a brawl at a New York press conference to publicize the planned event.<ref>AP, Tyson media circus takes center stage Template:Webarchive, ESPN.com, January 22, 2002. Retrieved March 14, 2007.</ref> A few weeks later, the Nevada State Athletic Commission refused to grant Tyson a license for the fight, and the promoters had to make alternative arrangements. After multiple states balked at granting Tyson a license, the fight eventually occurred on June 8 at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis, Tennessee. Lewis dominated the fight and knocked out Tyson with a right hand in the eighth round. Tyson was respectful after the fight and praised Lewis on his victory.<ref>Lewis stuns Tyson for famous win Template:Webarchive, BBC Sport, June 9, 2002. Retrieved March 14, 2007.</ref> This fight was the highest-grossing event in pay-per-view history at that time, generating $106.9 million from 1.95 million buys in the US.<ref name="Dahlberg" /><ref name="Umstead-2007" />
In another Memphis fight on February 22, 2003, Tyson beat fringe contender Clifford Etienne 49 seconds into round one. The pre-fight was marred by rumors of Tyson's lack of fitness. Some said that he took time out from training to party in Las Vegas and get a new facial tattoo.<ref>Etienne's night ends 49 seconds into first round Template:Webarchive, AP via ESPN.com, February 22, 2003. Retrieved March 15, 2007.</ref> This eventually proved to be Tyson's final professional victory in the ring.
In August 2003, after years of financial struggles, Tyson finally filed for bankruptcy.<ref>Tyson files for bankruptcy Template:Webarchive, BBC Sport, August 3, 2002. Retrieved March 15, 2007.</ref><ref>In re Michael G. Tyson, Chapter 11 petition, August 1, 2003, case no. 03-41900-alg, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson earned over $30 million for several of his fights and $300 million during his career. At the time, the media reported that he had approximately $23 million in debt.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On August 13, 2003, Tyson entered the ring for a face-to-face confrontation against K-1 fighter Bob Sapp immediately after Sapp's win against Kimo Leopoldo in Las Vegas. K-1 signed Tyson to a contract with the hopes of making a fight happen between the two, but Tyson's felony history made it impossible for him to obtain a visa to enter Japan, where the fight would have been most profitable. Alternative locations were discussed, but the fight ultimately did not take place.<ref>K-1 Reports Official Mike Tyson Fight Template:Webarchive. Tysontalk.com (April 15, 2004). Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref>
On July 30, 2004, Tyson had a match against British boxer Danny Williams in another comeback fight, and this time, staged in Louisville, Kentucky. Tyson dominated the opening two rounds. The third round was even, with Williams getting in some clean blows and also a few illegal ones, for which he was penalized. In the fourth round, Williams took control of the fight landing a succession of accurate and powerful punches that knocked Tyson down. He failed to beat the count and was thus defeated by KO. After the fight, Tyson's manager claimed that Tyson had torn a ligament in his knee in the first round. This was Tyson's fifth career defeat.<ref>Williams shocks Tyson Template:Webarchive, BBC Sports, July 31, 2004. Retrieved March 15, 2007.</ref> He underwent surgery for the ligament four days after the fight. His manager, Shelly Finkel, claimed that Tyson was unable to throw significant right-hand punches since he had a knee injury.<ref>Tyson camp blames injury Template:Webarchive, BBC Sports, July 31, 2004. Retrieved March 15, 2007.</ref>
Retirement
[edit]Tyson vs. McBride
[edit]Template:Main On June 11, 2005, Tyson quit before the start of the seventh round in a close bout against journeyman Kevin McBride. In the 2008 documentary Tyson, he stated that he fought McBride for a payday, that he did not anticipate winning, that he was in poor physical condition and fed up with taking boxing seriously. After losing three of his last four fights, Tyson said he would quit boxing because he felt he had lost his passion for the sport.<ref>Tyson quits boxing after defeat Template:Webarchive, BBC Sport, June 12, 2005. Retrieved March 14, 2007.</ref>
In 2000 Tyson dismissed everyone who was working for him and enlisted new accountants, who prepared a statement showing he started the year $3.3 million in debt but earned $65.7 million.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> In August 2007, Tyson pleaded guilty to drug possession and driving under the influence in an Arizona court, which stemmed from an arrest in December where authorities said Tyson, who has a long history of legal contentions, admitted to using cocaine that day and to being addicted to the drug.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In his 2013 autobiography Undisputed Truth, Tyson admitted to using the urine of his then wife Monica Turner to pass doping tests. He was married to Turner from 1997 to 2003. He also used his infant's urine for the same purpose.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Return and second retirement
[edit]Tyson vs. Paul
[edit]Template:Main In March 2024, it was announced that Tyson would be making his ring return against Jake Paul in a heavyweight bout on July 20, 2024, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On April 29, 2024, it was announced that the fight would be sanctioned as a professional boxing match by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On May 26, 2024, Tyson suffered an ulcer flare-up aboard a plane.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On May 31, 2024, it was announced that the fight was postponed per medical advice from Tyson's doctor, allowing him to recover from his ulcer flare-up.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On June 7, 2024, it was announced that the fight would take place at the same stadium on November 15, 2024.
Paul defeated Tyson via unanimous decision with the judges scoring the bout 80–72, 79–73 and 79–73 in favor of Paul.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="espn" />
Exhibition bouts
[edit]Mike Tyson's World Tour
[edit]To help pay off his debts, Tyson announced he would be doing a series of exhibition bouts, calling it Tyson's World Tour. For his first bout, Tyson returned to the ring in 2006 for a four-round exhibition against journeyman heavyweight Corey Sanders in Youngstown, Ohio.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson, without headgear at 5 ft 10 in and 216 pounds, was in quality shape, but far from his prime against Sanders, at 6 ft 6 in<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> who wore headgear. Tyson appeared to be "holding back" in the exhibition to prevent an early end to the "show". "If I don't get out of this financial quagmire there's a possibility I may have to be a punching bag for somebody. The money I make isn't going to help my bills from a tremendous standpoint, but I'm going to feel better about myself. I'm not going to be depressed", explained Tyson about the reasons for his "comeback".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After the bout was poorly received by fans, the remainder of the tour was canceled.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tyson vs. Jones
[edit]Template:Main It was announced in July 2020 that Tyson had signed a contract to face former four-division world champion, Roy Jones Jr., in an eight-round exhibition fight. Mixed martial arts coach Rafael Cordeiro was selected to be Tyson's trainer and cornerman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The bout—officially sanctioned by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC)—was initially scheduled to take place on September 12 at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> however, the date was pushed back to November 28 in order to maximize revenue for the event. The fight went the full eight rounds and was declared a draw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The fight was a split draw and the three judges scored the fight as follows: Chad Dawson (76–76 draw), Christy Martin (79–73 for Tyson), and Vinny Pazienza (76–80 for Jones).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Mike Tyson's Legends Only League
[edit]Template:Main In July 2020, Mike Tyson announced the creation of Mike Tyson's Legends Only League.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson formed the league in partnership with Sophie Watts and her company, Eros Innovations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The league provides retired professional athletes the opportunity to compete in their respective sport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 28, 2020, Mike Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. at the Staples Center in the first event produced under Legends Only League.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The event received largely positive reviews and was the highest selling PPV event of 2020, which ranks in the Top-10 for PPV purchased events all-time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Legacy
[edit]Tyson was The Ring magazine's Fighter of the Year in 1986 and 1988.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A 1998 ranking of "The Greatest Heavyweights of All-Time" by The Ring magazine placed Tyson at number 14 on the list.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Despite criticism of facing underwhelming competition during his run as champion, Tyson's knockout power and intimidation factor made him the sport's most dynamic box-office draw.<ref name="Campbell-2011">Template:Cite news</ref> According to Douglas Quenqua of The New York Times, "The [1990s] began with Mike Tyson, considered by many to be the last great heavyweight champion, losing his title to the little-known Buster Douglas. Seven years later, Mr. Tyson bit Evander Holyfield's ear in a heavyweight champion bout—hardly a proud moment for the sport."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He is remembered for his attire of black trunks, black shoes with no socks, and a plain white towel fit around his neck in place of a traditional robe, as well as his habit of rapidly pacing the ring before the start of a fight.<ref name="Campbell-2011" /><ref name="Dyck">Template:Cite web</ref> In his prime, Tyson rarely took a step back and had never been knocked down or seriously challenged.<ref name="Dyck" /> According to Martial Arts World Report, it gave Tyson an Honorable Mention in its Ten Greatest Heavyweights of All Time rather than a ranking because longevity is a factor and the peak period of Tyson's career lasted only about 5 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
As of April 2025, BoxRec ranks Tyson at No. 24 among the greatest boxers that had their last fight at heavyweight.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In The Ring magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years, released in 2002, Tyson was ranked at number 72.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He is ranked number 16 on The Ring magazine's 2003 list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson has defeated 11 boxers for the world heavyweight title, the seventh-most in history.
On June 12, 2011, Tyson was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame alongside legendary Mexican champion Julio César Chávez, light welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu, and actor/screenwriter Sylvester Stallone.<ref>Boxers Chavez, Tszyu and Tyson Elected to Int'l Boxing Hall of Fame – Template:Webarchive. Ibhof.com (December 7, 2010). Retrieved on November 25, 2011.</ref> In 2013, Tyson was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame and headlined the induction ceremony.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson was inducted into the Southern Nevada Hall of Fame in 2015 along with four other inductees with ties to Southern Nevada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tyson reflected on his strongest opponents in ten categories for a 2014 interview with The Ring magazine, including best jab, best defense, fastest hands, fastest feet, best chin, smartest, strongest, best puncher, best boxer, and best overall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 2017, The Ring magazine ranked Tyson as number 9 of 20 heavyweight champions based on a poll of panelists that included trainers, matchmakers, media, historians, and boxers, including:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Trainers: Teddy Atlas, Pat Burns, Virgil Hunter, and Don Turner
- Matchmakers: Eric Bottjer, Don Chargin, Don Elbaum, Bobby Goodman, Ron Katz, Mike Marchionte, Russell Peltz, and Bruce Trampler.
- Media: Al Bernstein, Ron Borges, Gareth A Davies, Norm Frauenheim, Jerry Izenberg, Harold Lederman, Paulie Malignaggi, Dan Rafael, and Michael Rosenthal
- Historians: Craig Hamilton, Steve Lott, Don McRae, Bob Mee, Clay Moyle, Adam Pollack, and Randy Roberts
- Boxers: Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson participated in the poll, but neither fighter ranked himself. Instead, a weighted average from the other panelists was assigned to their respective slots on their ballots.
In 2020, Bill Caplan of The Ring magazine listed Tyson as number 17 of the 20 greatest heavyweights of all time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson spoke with The Ring magazine in 2020 about his six greatest victories, those over Trevor Berbick, Pinklon Thomas, Tony Tucker, Tyrell Biggs, Larry Holmes, and Michael Spinks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2020, CBS Sports boxing experts Brian Campbell and Brent Brookhouse ranked the top 10 heavyweights of the last 50 years and Tyson was ranked number 7.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Trial and incarceration
[edit]Tyson was arrested in July 1991 for the rape of 18-year-old Desiree Washington at the Canterbury Hotel in Indianapolis. Washington, who had previously been crowned "Miss Black Rhode Island",<ref name="latimes">Template:Cite news</ref> was a contestant in the Miss Black America pageant, rehearsals for which were being held in the city. Tyson was charged with "one count of rape, two counts of criminal deviate conduct, and one count of criminal confinement—charges that carried a maximum sentence of 63 years."<ref name="Shaw">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Tyson's rape trial at the Marion County superior court lasted from January 26 to February 10, 1992.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Washington herself testified that Tyson had "called her around 1:45 a.m. to tour the city, then picked her up in his limo, took her back to his room, and made small talk as they both sat on the bed."<ref name="Shaw" /> After propositioning her for sex, Washington stated that she firmly refused and went to use the bathroom before leaving. "After using the bathroom, she said, she noticed some discharge on her panty shield. Washington said she removed the liner and threw it away."<ref name="Shaw" /> When she came out, "Tyson then pulled her to the bed, pinned her down and raped her, she testified. 'He was mean, evil,' she said. 'I got on top and started to try to get away, but he slammed me down again.'"<ref name="Shaw" /> "Three days after the assault, Washington went to the police and accused Tyson of rape."<ref name="latimes" /> Partial corroboration of Washington's story came via testimony from Tyson's chauffeur, Virginia Foster, who confirmed Desiree Washington's "state of shock"<ref name="Shaw" /> after the incident. Foster also testified that Tyson had previously attempted to sexually assault her, too, having "lured her to his hotel room, tried to touch her, and then exposed himself".<ref name="Shaw" /> Further testimony came from the emergency room physician, Dr. Thomas Richardson, who examined Washington after the incident and confirmed that Washington's physical condition was consistent with rape.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Richardson testified that Washington had suffered "two small vaginal abrasions, consistent with 20 to 30 percent of the injuries seen in sexual assault cases",<ref name="Shaw" /> and that in approximately 20,000 cases over a period of 20 years, "only twice [...] had he ever seen such abrasions following consensual sex."<ref name="Shaw" />
Under lead defense lawyer Vincent J. Fuller's direct examination, Tyson claimed that everything had taken place with Washington's full consent and he claimed not to have forced himself upon her. When he was cross-examined by lead prosecutor Gregory Garrison, Tyson denied claims that he had misled Washington and insisted that she wanted to have sex with him.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> "In a misguided attempt to show that Washington must have known that Tyson wanted sex, the defense called witness after witness to testify about their client's lewd remarks and crude behavior during his encounters with the Miss Black America contestants, and even with Washington herself."<ref name="Shaw" /> Former attorney Mark Shaw argued that Tyson's "case was mishandled, citing a jury-selection process that allowed a conservative ex-Marine to become foreman, a defense "strategy" of making Tyson look as bad as possible, and a disastrous decision to allow the defendant to testify at the grand jury hearing, the trial, and his sentencing."<ref name="Shaw" />
Despite Fuller's reputation as:<ref name="Shaw" />
Fuller had also successfully defended Tyson's manager, Don King, "against federal tax-evasion charges"<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> in 1985, which may have been one of the reasons King chose him to represent Tyson. Tyson himself would later describe Fuller as "a horrible lawyer".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to Shaw, Fuller "never challenged obvious problems in Washington’s story. Exactly why did she remove her panty shield? How did Tyson perform oral sex on her and still keep her pinned to the bed? If Tyson is one of the strongest men in the world, where were the bruises on the 108-pound woman?"<ref name="Shaw" />
Tyson was convicted of the rape charge on February 10, 1992, after the jury deliberated for nearly 10 hours.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Alan Dershowitz, acting as Tyson's counsel, filed an appeal urging error of law in the Court's exclusion of evidence of the victim's past sexual conduct (known as the Rape Shield Law; Dershowitz alleged that Washington had "falsely accused one of her high school classmates of rape"),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the exclusion of three potential defense witnesses, and the lack of jury instructions on honest and reasonable mistake of fact.<ref name="Tyson v. State 1993">Template:Cite web</ref> The Indiana Court of Appeals ruled against Tyson in a 2–1 vote.<ref name="Tyson v. State 1993" /> The Indiana Supreme Court let the lower court opinion stand due to a 2–2 split in its review. The tie vote was due to the fact that the Chief Justice, Randall T. Shepard, recused himself from the case. The Chief Justice later revealed he did so because of a heated argument between his wife and Dershowitz at a Yale Law School reunion concerning the case.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 26, 1992, Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison along with four years of probation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was assigned to the Indiana Youth Center (now the Plainfield Correctional Facility) in April 1992,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and he was released in March 1995 after serving less than three years of the sentence.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He left with prison tattoos of tennis player Arthur Ashe and Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong; Tyson also dates his tattoo of Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara to this time.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite AV media</ref>
Due to his conviction, Tyson was required to register as a Tier II sex offender under federal law.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Tyson has continued to maintain his innocence. In 1992, Erinn Cosby, the daughter of comedian and actor Bill Cosby, publicly accused Tyson of sexually assaulting her in 1989, although no criminal charges were ever sought.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Life outside of boxing
[edit]
In an interview with USA Today published on June 3, 2005, Tyson said, "My whole life has been a waste – I've been a failure." He continued: "I just want to escape. I'm really embarrassed with myself and my life. I want to be a missionary. I think I could do that while keeping my dignity without letting people know they chased me out of the country. I want to get this part of my life over as soon as possible. In this country nothing good is going to come of me. People put me so high; I wanted to tear that image down."<ref>Saraceno, Jon., Tyson: 'My whole life has been a waste' Template:Webarchive, USAToday.com, June 2, 2005. Retrieved March 11, 2007.</ref> Tyson began to spend much of his time tending to his 350 pigeons in Paradise Valley, an upscale enclave near Phoenix, Arizona.<ref>Template:Usurped, AP via MSNBC.com, June 22, 2005. Retrieved March 27, 2007.</ref>
Tyson has stayed in the limelight by promoting various websites and companies.<ref>Henderson, Kenneth. A Look at Mike Tyson's Life after Boxing Template:Webarchive, ringsidereport.com, June 20, 2002. Retrieved April 28, 2007.</ref> In the past Tyson had shunned endorsements, accusing other athletes of putting on a false front to obtain them.<ref>Saraceno, Jon., Tyson shows good-guy side with kids Template:Webarchive, USA Today, June 6, 2002. Retrieved April 27, 2007.</ref> Tyson has held entertainment boxing shows at a casino in Las Vegas<ref>Birch, Paul., Tyson reduced to Vegas turn Template:Webarchive, BBC Sports, September 13, 2002. Retrieved April 27, 2007.</ref> and started a tour of exhibition bouts to pay off his numerous debts.<ref>Debt-ridden Tyson returns to ring Template:Webarchive, BBC Sports, September 29, 2006. Retrieved March 27, 2007.</ref>
In October 2012, Tyson launched the Mike Tyson Cares Foundation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The mission of the Mike Tyson Cares Foundation is to "give kids a fighting chance" with innovative centers that provide for the comprehensive needs of kids from broken homes.
In August 2013, Tyson teamed up with Acquinity Sports to form Iron Mike Productions, a boxing promotions company.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In September 2013, Tyson was featured on a six-episode television series on Fox Sports 1 that documented his personal and private life entitled Being: Mike Tyson.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In November 2013, Tyson's Undisputed Truth was published, which appeared on The New York Times Best Seller list.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the Golden Podium Awards Ceremony, Tyson received the Sportel Special Prize for the best autobiography.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In May 2017, Tyson published his second memoir, Iron Ambition,<ref>Iron Ambition by Mike Tyson Template:Webarchive, Blue Rider Press</ref> which details his time with trainer and surrogate father Cus D'Amato. Both were written with Larry Sloman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In February 2018, Tyson attended the international mixed martial arts (MMA) tournament in the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. Tyson said: "As I have travelled all over the country of Russia I have realised that the people are very sensitive and kind. But most Americans do not have any experience of that."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On May 12, 2020, Tyson posted a video on his Instagram of him training again. At the end of the video, Tyson hinted at a return to boxing by saying, "I'm back".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On May 23, 2020, at All Elite Wrestling's Double or Nothing, Tyson helped Cody defeat Lance Archer alongside Jake Roberts and presented him the inaugural AEW TNT Championship. Tyson alongside Henry Cejudo, Rashad Evans, and Vitor Belfort appeared on the May 27 episode of AEW Dynamite facing off against Chris Jericho and his stable The Inner Circle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson returned to AEW on the April 7, 2021, episode of Dynamite and helped Jericho from being attacked by The Pinnacle, beating down Shawn Spears in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was the special guest enforcer on the April 14 episode of Dynamite for a match between Jericho and Dax Harwood of The Pinnacle, a preview of the upcoming Inner Circle vs. Pinnacle match at Blood and Guts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tyson made an extended cameo appearance in the Telugu-Hindi movie Liger, which released on August 25, 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Personal life
[edit]
Marriages and children
[edit]Tyson resides in Seven Hills, Nevada.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He has been married three times, and has seven children, one deceased, with three women; in addition to his biological children, Tyson includes his second wife's oldest daughter as one of his own.<ref name="Merkin-2011">Template:Cite news</ref>
Tyson married actress Robin Givens on February 7, 1988, at Holy Angels Catholic Church during a traditional ceremony in Chicago.<ref name="divorc1" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Givens was known at the time for her role on the sitcom Head of the Class. Tyson's marriage to Givens was especially tumultuous, with allegations of violence, spousal abuse, and mental instability on Tyson's part.<ref name="givens1">Template:Cite news</ref>
Matters came to a head when Tyson and Givens gave a joint interview with Barbara Walters on the ABC TV news magazine show 20/20 in September 1988, in which Givens described life with Tyson as "torture, pure hell, worse than anything I could possibly imagine."<ref>Wife Discusses Tyson Template:Webarchive, AP via New York Times, September 30, 1988. Retrieved April 24, 2007.</ref> Givens also described Tyson as "manic depressive" – which was later confirmed by doctors<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> – on national television while Tyson looked on with an intent and calm expression.<ref name="givens1" /> A month later, Givens announced that she was seeking a divorce from the allegedly abusive Tyson,<ref name="givens1" /> with the two officially separating on February 14, 1989.<ref name="divorc1" />
According to the book Fire and Fear: The Inside Story of Mike Tyson, Tyson admitted that he punched Givens and stated, "that was the best punch I've ever thrown in my entire life."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson claimed that the book was "filled with inaccuracies."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Tyson and Givens had no children, but she reported having had a miscarriage; Tyson claimed that she was never pregnant and only used that to get him to marry her.<ref name="givens1" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During their marriage, the couple lived in a mansion in Bernardsville, New Jersey.<ref>Gross, Ken. "As Wife Robin Givens Splits for the Coast, Mike Tyson Rearranges the Furniture" Template:Webarchive, People, October 17, 1988. Retrieved March 21, 2011. "The food lies untouched. The only sounds across the breakfast table in the Bernardsville, N.J., mansion are the loud silences of words being swallowed. Finally, Robin Givens, 24, star of the ABC-TV sitcom Head of the Class, pushes herself away from the table and announces, 'I have to pack.' 'Me, too,' says her husband, Mike Tyson, 22, the world heavyweight boxing champion. Suddenly the Sunday morning atmosphere is tense and full of menace."</ref><ref>via Associated Press. Mike Tyson Chronology Template:Webarchive, USA Today, June 12, 2005. Retrieved March 21, 2011. "Oct. 2, 1988 – Police go to Tyson's Bernardsville, N.J., home after he hurls furniture out the window and forces Givens and her mother to flee the house."</ref>
Tyson's second marriage was to Monica Turner from April 19, 1997, to January 14, 2003.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> At the time of the divorce filing, Turner worked as a pediatric resident at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.<ref name="smg1">The Smoking Gun: Archive Template:Webarchive, The Smoking Gun. Retrieved March 30, 2007.</ref> She is the sister of Michael Steele, the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland and former Republican National Committee chairman.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Turner filed for divorce from Tyson in January 2002, claiming that he committed adultery during their five-year marriage, an act that "has neither been forgiven nor condoned."<ref name="smg1" /> The couple had two children.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On May 25, 2009, Tyson's four-year-old daughter, Exodus, was found by her seven-year-old brother, unconscious and tangled in a cord, dangling from an exercise treadmill. The child's mother untangled her, administered CPR and called for medical attention. Tyson, who was in Las Vegas at the time of the incident, traveled back to Phoenix to be with her. She died of her injuries on May 26, 2009.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Eleven days after his daughter's death, Tyson wed for the third time, to longtime girlfriend Lakiha "Kiki" Spicer, age 32, exchanging vows on June 6, 2009, in a short, private ceremony at the La Bella Wedding Chapel at the Las Vegas Hilton.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> They have two children.<ref name="Merkin-2011" />
Religious beliefs
[edit]Raised as a Catholic,<ref name="McNeil-2014" /> Tyson has stated that he converted to Islam before entering prison and that he made no efforts to correct what was reported in the media,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> although it was falsely reported that he converted to Islam during his time in prison and adopted the Muslim name Malik Abdul Aziz;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> some sources report it as Malik Shabazz.<ref>Usborne, David (March 27, 1995). "Tyson gets a hero's welcome" Template:Webarchive. The Independent. Independent Print Ltd. Retrieved August 25, 2018.</ref> Tyson never changed his given name to an Islamic one, despite the rumors.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
In November 2013, Tyson stated "the more I look into the churches and mosques for god, the more I start seeing the devil".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> But, just a month later, in a December 2013 interview with Fox News, Tyson said that he is very grateful to be a Muslim and that he needs Allah in his life. In the same interview Tyson talked about his progress with sobriety and how being in the company of good people has made him want to be a better and more humble person.<ref name="foxtyson">Template:Cite news</ref>
He first completed the Islamic pilgrimage Umrah in July 2010<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and more recently in December 2022 accompanied by DJ Khaled, a Palestinian American Muslim.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Diet
[edit]In March 2011, Tyson appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show to discuss his new Animal Planet reality series Taking On Tyson. In the interview with DeGeneres, Tyson discussed some of the ways he had improved his life in the past two years, including sober living and a vegan diet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, in August 2013 he admitted publicly that he had lied about his sobriety and was on the verge of death from alcoholism.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tyson also revealed that he is no longer vegan, stating, "I was a vegan for four years but not anymore. I eat chicken every now and then. I should be a vegan. [No red meat] at all, no way! I would be very sick if I ate red meat. That's probably why I was so crazy before."<ref name="foxtyson"/>
Political views
[edit]In 2015, Tyson announced that he was supporting Donald Trump's presidential candidacy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Controversies and legal challenges
[edit]On December 29, 2006, Tyson was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, on suspicion of DUI and felony drug possession; he nearly crashed into a police SUV shortly after leaving a nightclub. According to a police probable-cause statement, filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, "[Tyson] admitted to using [drugs] today and stated he is an addict and has a problem."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Tyson pleaded not guilty on January 22, 2007, in Maricopa County Superior Court to felony drug possession and paraphernalia possession counts and two misdemeanor counts of driving under the influence of drugs. On February 8 he checked himself into an inpatient treatment program for "various addictions" while awaiting trial on the drug charges.<ref>Khan, Chris., Boxing: Tyson enters rehab facility Template:Webarchive, AP via The Albuquerque Tribune, February 8, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2007.</ref>
On September 24, 2007, Tyson pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and driving under the influence. He was convicted of these charges in November 2007 and sentenced to 24 hours in jail. After his release, he was ordered to serve three years' probation and complete 360 hours of community service. Prosecutors had requested a year-long jail sentence, but the judge praised Tyson for seeking help with his drug problems.<ref>BBC NEWS, Tyson Jailed on Drugs Charges Template:Webarchive, news.bbc.com, November 19, 2007. Retrieved November 19, 2007.</ref> On November 11, 2009, Tyson was arrested after getting into a scuffle at Los Angeles International airport with a photographer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> No charges were filed.
In September 2011, Tyson gave an interview in which he made comments about former Alaska governor Sarah Palin including crude and violent descriptions of interracial sex. These comments were reprinted on The Daily Caller website. Journalist Greta van Susteren criticized Tyson and The Daily Caller over the comments, which she described as "smut" and "violence against women".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
On April 20, 2022, on a JetBlue flight from San Francisco to Florida, Tyson repeatedly punched a male passenger who was harassing him, including throwing water on Tyson; he did not face criminal charges.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In November 2023, Tyson found himself amidst criticism and rumors regarding his alleged donation to the Israeli Defense Forces<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Smith-2023">Template:Cite web</ref> after he was photographed attending a November 13 event<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> sponsored by Friends of the IDF (FIDF) to fundraise for the Gaza war, which seemed to clash with his previous statements about Palestinians. This led to a social media backlash, prompting Tyson to release the following statement on Instagram:
"I want to clarify the recent portrayal of an event I attended," he wrote on Thursday. "Invited for a casual evening out by a friend, I was unaware of the arranged fundraiser and no donations were made by me or on my behalf. As a Muslim and human, I support peace. My prayers have been and continue to be with my brothers and sisters."<ref name="Smith-2023" />
In popular culture
[edit]
At the height of his fame and career in the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, Tyson was among the most recognized sports personalities in the world. In addition to his many sporting accomplishments, his outrageous and controversial behavior in the ring and in his private life has kept him in the public eye and in the courtroom.<ref>ESPN25: The 25 Most Outrageous Characters, ESPN25.com. Retrieved April 1, 2007.</ref> As such, Tyson has been the subject of myriad popular media including movies, television, books and music. He has also been featured in video games and as a subject of parody or satire. Tyson became involved in professional wrestling and has made many cameo appearances in film and television.
In 1987, he was featured as the final boss in the NES video game Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!.
The film Tyson was released in 1995 and was directed by Uli Edel. It explores the life of Mike Tyson, from the death of his guardian and trainer Cus D'Amato to his rape conviction. Tyson is played by Michael Jai White.
In 2006, Tyson appeared as himself in a cameo role in the film Rocky Balboa.
Published in 2007, author Joe Layden's book The Last Great Fight: The Extraordinary Tale of Two Men and How One Fight Changed Their Lives Forever, chronicled the lives of Tyson and Douglas before and after their heavyweight championship fight.
In 2008, the documentary Tyson premiered at the annual Cannes Film Festival in France.
Tyson played a fictionalized version of himself in the 2009 film The Hangover.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After debuting a one-man show in Las Vegas, Tyson collaborated with film director Spike Lee and brought the show to Broadway in August 2012.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2013, Tyson took his one-man show Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth on a 36-city, three-month national tour. Tyson talks about his personal and professional life on stage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The one-man show was aired on HBO on November 16, 2013.
In 2013, he appeared in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as a survivor of child-abuse awaiting execution for murder.
He is the titular character in Mike Tyson Mysteries, which started airing on October 27, 2014, on Adult Swim. In the animated series, Tyson voices a fictionalized version of himself, solving mysteries in the style of Scooby-Doo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In early March 2015, Tyson appeared on the track "Iconic" on Madonna's album Rebel Heart. Tyson says some lines at the beginning of the song.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
In late March 2015, Ip Man 3 was announced. With Donnie Yen reprising his role as the titular character, Bruce Lee's martial arts master, Ip Man, while Mike Tyson joined the cast as Frank, an American property developer and proficient boxer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Principal photography began on March 25, 2015, and was premiered in Hong Kong on December 16, 2015.
In January 2017, Tyson launched his YouTube channel with Shots Studios, a comedy video and comedy music production company with young digital stars like Lele Pons and Rudy Mancuso. Tyson's channel includes parody music videos and comedy sketches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
He hosts the podcast Hotboxin' with Mike Tyson.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In October 2017, Tyson was announced as the new face of Australian car servicing franchise Ultra Tune. He took over from Jean-Claude van Damme in fronting television commercials for the brand, and the first advert aired in January 2018 during the Australian Open.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the ad was quickly attacked,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> even leading Tyson himself to describe it as "a little sexist."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A joint Mainland China-Hong Kong-directed film on female friendship titled Girls 2: Girls vs Gangsters (Template:Langx) that was shot earlier from July–August 2016 at several locations around Vietnam was released in March 2018, featuring Tyson as "Dragon".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Tiki Lau released a dance music single, "Mike Tyson", in October 2020, which includes vocals from Tyson.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2021, Mike's Hard Lemonade Seltzer featured ads with Tyson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In March 2021, it was announced that Jamie Foxx will star in, and also executive produce the official scripted series Tyson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The limited series will be directed by Antoine Fuqua and executive produced by Martin Scorsese.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
A two-part documentary series titled Mike Tyson: The Knockout premiered on May 25, 2021, on ABC.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
Tyson and his family appeared in the 300th episode of Hell's Kitchen as VIP guests in the Blue Team's kitchen during Season 20's opening dinner service that aired on June 7, 2021.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On August 25, 2022, Hulu released a biographical drama limited series about Tyson, entitled Mike, depicting his life and career.<ref name="Blaine Henry-2022">Template:Cite web</ref> On August 6, 2022, Tyson spoke out about the series, saying, "Hulu stole my story" and telling the service that "I'm not a n****r you can sell on the auction block."<ref name="Blaine Henry-2022"/>
Professional boxing record
[edit]<ref>Template:Boxrec</ref>
Exhibition boxing record
[edit]| Template:Abbr | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Template:DrawDraw | Template:Nowrap | Roy Jones Jr. | Template:Abbr | 8 | Nov 28, 2020 | Template:Small | Template:Small |
| 3 | Template:N/A | 0–0 Template:Small | Corey Sanders | Template:N/A | 4 | Oct 20, 2006 | Template:Small | Template:Small |
| 2 | Template:N/A | 0–0 Template:Small | James Tillis | Template:N/A | 4 | Nov 12, 1987 | Template:Small | Template:Small |
| 1 | Template:N/A | 0–0 Template:Small | Anthony Davis | Template:N/A | 1 | Jul 4, 1986 | Template:Small | Template:Small |
Titles in boxing
[edit]Major world titles
[edit]- WBA heavyweight champion (200+ lbs) (2×)
- WBC heavyweight champion (200+ lbs) (2×)
- IBF heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)
The Ring magazine titles
[edit]- The Ring heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)
Undisputed titles
[edit]- Undisputed heavyweight champion (200+ lbs)
Honorary titles
[edit]Pay-per-view bouts
[edit]Boxing
[edit]PPV home television
[edit]| Date | Fight | Network | Buys | Source(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Dts | Frank Bruno vs. Mike Tyson II | Sky Box Office | 600,000 | <ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Dts | Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II | Sky Box Office | 550,000 | <ref name="Davies-2007">Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Template:Dts | Mike Tyson vs. Julius Francis | Sky Box Office | 500,000 | <ref name="Davies-2007"/> |
| Template:Dts | Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson | Sky Box Office | 750,000 | <ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Template:Dts | Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. | BT Sport Box Office | ||
| Total sales | 2,400,000 |
Closed-circuit theater TV
[edit]Select pay-per-view boxing buy rates at American closed-circuit theater television venues:
| Date | Fight | Buys | Revenue | Revenue (inflation) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Dts | Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks | Template:Nts<ref name="spinks">Template:Cite news</ref> | $32,000,000<ref name="spinks"/> | $Template:Inflation |
| Template:Dts | Evander Holyfield vs. Mike Tyson II | Template:Nts<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | $9,000,000<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> | $Template:Inflation |
| Total sales | 920,000 | $41,000,000 | $79,930,000 |
Professional wrestling
[edit]World Wrestling Federation
[edit]| Date | Event | Venue | Location | Buys | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Dts | WrestleMania XIV | FleetCenter | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | 730,000 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
All Elite Wrestling
[edit]| Date | Event | Venue | Location | Buys | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Dts | Double or Nothing | Daily's Place TIAA Bank Field |
Jacksonville, Florida | 115,000–120,000 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Rocky Balboa | Himself (in-universe) | Cameo appearance |
| 2009 | The Hangover | Himself | |
| 2011 | The Hangover Part II | ||
| 2013 | Grudge Match | ||
| 2015 | Ip Man 3 | Frank | |
| 2017 | China Salesman | Kabbah | |
| 2018 | Girls 2 | Dragon | |
| 2022 | Vendetta | Roach | |
| 2022 | Liger | Mark Anderson | Bollywood film; extended cameo appearance |
| 2023 | Asphalt City | Chief Burroughs | |
| 2023 | Once Within a Time | The Mentor |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit episode "Monster's Legacy" | Reggie Rhodes | |
| 2014–2019 | Mike Tyson Mysteries | Himself (voice) | Animated series |
| Year | Title | Role | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Mike Tyson’s Punch–Out!! | Himself | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| 2000 | Mike Tyson Boxing | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2002 | Mike Tyson Heavyweight Boxing | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2003 | The Wild Rings | ||
| 2004 | King of Colosseum II | ||
| 2009 | EA Sports Fight Night Round 4 | ||
| 2011 | EA Sports Fight Night Champion | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2011 | Mike Tyson: Main Event | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2012 | WWE ‘13 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2014 | Family Guy: The Quest For Stuff | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2016 | EA Sports UFC 2 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| 2023 | EA Sports UFC 5 | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Eminem – "Godzilla" | Himself | Cameo appearance |
Awards and honors
[edit]Humane letters
[edit]The Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in 1989 awarded Tyson an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters: "Mike demonstrates that hard work, determination and perseverance can enable one to overcome any obstacles."<ref name=nyt1989/>
Boxing
[edit]- Ring magazine Prospect of the Year (1985)
- 2× Ring magazine Fighter of the Year (1986, 1988)
- 2× Sugar Ray Robinson Award winner (1987, 1989)
- BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality (1989)
- International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 2011)
- "Guirlande d'Honneur" by the FICTS (Milan, 2010)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Professional wrestling
[edit]- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Faction of the Year (2021) – with The Inner Circle<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
[edit]- List of celebrities who own cannabis businesses
- List of undisputed boxing champions
- List of heavyweight boxing champions
- World heavyweight boxing championship records and statistics
Notes
[edit]Template:Reflist Template:Notelist
References
[edit]External links
[edit]- Template:Official website
- Template:Boxrec
- Boxing Hall of Fame
- ESPN.com
- ESPN.com – additional information
- ESPN.com – Boxing Topics: Mike Tyson
- Template:Usurped
- Template:IMDb name
- "Mike Tyson Film Takes a Swing at His Old Image", 2008 article at The New York Times
- "Mike Tyson Moves to the Suburbs", 2011 article at The New York Times
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- Pages with broken file links
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