At 58 years old, Tyson seemingly still has the energy and strength to take on younger fighters, even if this one happens to be a glorified social media influencer: Jake Paul.
With Iron Mike back in the boxing ring, it feels like the perfect time to look back at some of his most insane moments throughout his career, and knowing Tyson, he is not void of them.
Arrested 38 times
As written in his autobiography, “Undisputed Truth,” Tyson claims that he was arrested 38 times by the times he was 13. Unfortunately, that would become a pattern in his life.
Biting Holyfield’s ear
Tyson may have become the most infamous person in sports after this moment. During his 1997 rematch with Evander Holyfield, as Tyson was clearly losing the fight in the third round, he inexplicably bit part of Holyfield’s ear off.
”I want to eat his children”
In the long list of crazy things Tyson has said, the next maybe the most insane. After he made quick work of Lou Savarese during a fight in 2000, he quickly took aim at the Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis. In his post-fight interview, he stated, “My style is impetuous. My defence is impregnable. And I’m just ferocious. I want your heart. I want to eat his children. Praise be to Allah”.
Bites Lewis’ leg
Tyson pulled out his signature technique again during a fight at a press conference with Lennox Lewis. This time, instead of going for the year, he went for the leg.
Russ Salzberg interview
Mike Tyson came in this 1999 interview with Russ Salzberg just angry as all hell. Salzberg didn’t even say anything that crazy, Tyson was just locked in on his next opponent.
Knocked out by Buster Douglaas
One of the most infamous upsets in all of sports history. Tyson was a huge favorite in his 1990 fight with Buster Douglas, who was a 42/1 underdog. Douglas not only won, but he dominated the fight and knocked out Tyson in the tenth round, giving him the first loss of his career.
Interview with Barbara Walters
During this 1988 interview with Barbara Walters, Tyson and his then-wife, did not leave anything up to speculation. She accused her husband of being abusive and even described it as “pure hell.” Meanwhile, Tyson saat beside his wife either stunned or just out of it.
Gorilla fight
Yes, while he was a touring a New York Zoo with his wife Robin Givens, Tyson allegedly offered the zookeeper money to allow him to fight a Gorilla that was bullying the others.
Love of pigeons
This isn’t necessarily insane, it’s just interesting. Tyson had a deep love of pigeons, even when he was a child growing in New York. At one point, he owned nearly 350 pigeons while living in Arizona.
Tyson catches Brad Pitt with Robin Givens
Tyson claims in his book, “Undisputed Truth,” that he caught his ex-wife, Robin Givens, in bed with actor Brad Pitt. He claims that once he caught them together, Pitt pleaded, “Dude, don’t hit me, don’t hit me!”
Road rage incident
In August 1998, Tyson was involved in a three-car collision that resulted in him assaulting the two other drivers. He spent nine months in prison. Above is a photo of him arriving in court.
Arizona arrest
In December 2006, after leaving a nightclub in Arizona, Tyson nearly crashed into a police vehicle and was eventually arrested on suspicion of DUI and felony drug possession. He later admitted to using drugs that night and said he was an addict.
Sarah Palin comments
During a 2011 radio interview with Tucker Carlson, Tyson made some extremely inappropriate comments about politician Sarah Palin, where he allegedly described a sexual encounter between the former Governor of Alaska and 90s NBA star Glen Rice.
Punches plane passenger
In April 2022, Tyson was seen on video punching a passenger who was allegedly harassing him during a Jetblue flight. The passenger allegedly threw water on Mike, leading him to throw punces back.
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