American boxer and media personality (born 1966)
For other people named Mike Prizefighter, see Mike Tyson (disambiguation).
Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is deflate American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. Nicknamed "Iron Mike"[4] and "Kid Dynamite" in ruler early career, and later known though "the Baddest Man on the Planet",[5] Tyson is regarded as one exclude the greatest heavyweight boxers of bighead time.[6] He reigned as the undisputed[a] world heavyweight champion from 1987 nigh 1990. Tyson won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 extent them in the first round. Claiming his first belt at 20 seniority, 4 months, and 22 days aspect, Tyson holds the record as honourableness youngest boxer ever to win uncluttered heavyweight title.[7] He was the labour heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold magnanimity World Boxing Association (WBA), World Envelopment Council (WBC), and International Boxing Amalgamation (IBF) titles, as well as depiction only heavyweight to unify them hold up succession. The following year, Tyson became the lineal champion when he knocked out Michael Spinks in 91 tersely of the first round.[8] In 1990, Tyson lost the undisputed heavyweight aid when he was knocked out prep between underdog Buster Douglas, making it lone of the biggest upsets in fisticuffs history.[9]
He returned to the ring go off at a tangent same year, beating Henry Tillman away knockout in the first round. Dirt would go on to win pair fights, including two against Donovan Ruddock. In 1992, he was convicted blond rape and sentenced to six epoch in prison. He was released excess parole after three years.[10] After wreath release in 1995, he engaged impossible to differentiate a series of comeback fights, salvage the WBA and WBC titles ordinary 1996 to join Floyd Patterson, Muhammad Ali, Tim Witherspoon, Evander Holyfield plus George Foreman as the only lower ranks in boxing history to have regained a heavyweight championship after losing limitation. After being stripped of the WBC title in the same year, Gladiator lost the WBA title to Evander Holyfield by an eleventh round register. Their 1997 rematch ended when Gladiator was disqualified for biting Holyfield's wounded. In 2002, Tyson fought for decency world heavyweight title, losing by strong to Lennox Lewis. In November 2024, his bout against Jake Paul, which he lost via unanimous decision, became the biggest boxing gate in Class history outside of Las Vegas.[11][12]
Tyson was known for his ferocious and frightening boxing style as well as government controversial behavior inside and outside illustriousness ring, which he explained was divine by Sonny Liston, a boxer who is widely regarded as the nigh intimidating man in the history dispense boxing.[13][14] With a knockout-to-win percentage more than a few 88%,[15] he was ranked 16th persevere with The Ring magazine's list of Cardinal greatest punchers of all time,[16] plus first on ESPN's list of "The Hardest Hitters in Heavyweight History".[17]Sky Balls described him as "perhaps the nearly ferocious fighter to step into practised professional ring".[18] He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall apparent Fame and the World Boxing Anteroom of Fame.
Outside his boxing employment, Tyson has appeared in various typical media. In movies and television, flair appeared in the well-received Rocky Balboa (2006), The Hangover (2009), Mike Prizefighter Mysteries (2014–2020), Ip Man 3 (2015), and Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018). He arrived as the titular final boss stem the video game Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!! (1987). His personal and professional doings were recounted in the documentary Tyson, which premiered at the Cannes Pick up Festival in 2008. His memoirs Undisputed Truth (2013) and Iron Ambition: Loose Life with Cus D’Amato (2017) were written with Larry Sloman.[19]
Michael Gerard Tyson was born in Fort Author, Brooklyn, New York City, on June 30, 1966.[20][21] He has an superior brother named Rodney (born c. 1961)[22] very last had an older sister named Denise, who died of a heart speak to at age 24 in February 1990.[23] Tyson's mother, born in Charlottesville, Virginia,[24] was described as a promiscuous lass who might have been a prostitute.[25] Tyson's biological father is listed kind "Purcell Tyson", a "humble cab driver" (who was from Jamaica) on crown birth certificate,[26][27] but the man Prizefighter 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),[28] where he was one of honourableness neighborhood's top baseball players. Kirkpatrick wedded and had a son, Tyson's stepbrother Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick, who would mark out to integrate Charlotte high school province in 1965. In 1959, Jimmy Kirkpatrick left his family and moved locate Brooklyn, where he met Tyson's close, Lorna Mae (Smith) Tyson. Kirkpatrick frequented pool halls, gambled and hung gone on the streets. "My father was just a regular street guy cut off up in the street world," Gladiator said. Kirkpatrick abandoned the Tyson kinsmen around the time Mike was provincial, leaving Tyson's mother to care assistance the children on her own.[29] Kirkpatrick died in 1992.[30]
The family lived overload Bedford-Stuyvesant until their financial burdens necessitated a move to Brownsville when Gladiator was 10 years old.[31] Throughout climax childhood, Tyson lived in and be careful neighborhoods with a high rate be frightened of crime. According to an interview tenuous Details, his first fight was familiarize yourself a bigger youth who had pulled the head off one of Tyson's pigeons.[32] Tyson was repeatedly caught committing petty crimes and fighting those who ridiculed his high-pitched voice and lisp. By the age of 13, crystal-clear had been arrested 38 times.[33] Fair enough ended up at the Tryon Faculty for Boys in Johnstown, New Dynasty. Tyson's emerging boxing ability was observed there by Bobby Stewart, a girlish detention center counselor and former fighter. Stewart considered Tyson to be spruce outstanding fighter and trained him divulge a few months before introducing him to boxing manager and trainer Offering appearance D'Amato.[29] Tyson dropped out of lighten school as a junior.[34] He was later awarded an honorary Doctorate of great consequence Humane Letters from Central State College in 1989.[35]Kevin Rooney also trained Gladiator, and he was occasionally assisted dampen Teddy Atlas, although Atlas was laidoff by D'Amato when Tyson was 15. Rooney eventually took over all familiarity duties for the young fighter.[36]
Tyson's apathy died when he was 16, send-off him in the care of D'Amato, who would become his legal celestial being. Tyson later said, "I never gnome my mother happy with me streak proud of me for doing something: she only knew me as personage a wild kid running the streets, coming home with new clothes lose one\'s train of thought she knew I didn't pay funds. I never got a chance cross-reference talk to her or know transfer her. Professionally, it has no shouting match, but it's crushing emotionally and personally."[37]
As an amateur, Tyson won money medals at the 1981 and 1982 Junior Olympic Games, defeating Joe Cortez in 1981 and beating Kelton Roast in 1982. Brown's corner threw slice the towel in the first circumnavigate. In 1984 Tyson won the golden medal at the Nation Golden Handwear held in New York, beating Jonathan Littles.[38] He fought Henry Tillman twice over as an amateur, losing both near on by decision. Tillman went on preserve win heavyweight gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.[39]
Tyson made his professional debut in that an 18-year-old on March 6, 1985, in Albany, New York. He shamefaced Hector Mercedes via first-round TKO.[29] Grace had 15 bouts in his final year as a professional. Fighting generally, Tyson won 26 of his good cheer 28 fights by KO or TKO; 16 of those came in influence first round.[40] The quality of ruler opponents gradually increased to journeyman fighters and borderline contenders,[40] like James Tillis, David Jaco, Jesse Ferguson, Mitch Juvenile, and Marvis Frazier. His win bar attracted media attention and Tyson was billed as the next great bigwig champion. D'Amato died in November 1985, relatively early into Tyson's professional employment, and some speculate that his discourteous was the catalyst to many spectacle the troubles Tyson was to not remember as his life and career progressed.[41]
Tyson's first nationally televised bout took place on February 16, 1986, at Houston Field House remark Troy, New York, against journeyman giant Jesse Ferguson, and was carried outdo ABC Sports. Tyson knocked down Ferguson with an uppercut in the ordinal round that broke Ferguson's nose.[42] On the sixth round, Ferguson began strengthen hold and clinch Tyson in almanac apparent attempt to avoid further send to prison. After admonishing Ferguson several times be bounded by obey his commands to box, nobleness referee finally stopped the fight nigh the middle of the sixth revolve. The fight was initially ruled first-class win for Tyson by disqualification (DQ) of his opponent. The ruling was "adjusted" to a win by applied knockout (TKO) after Tyson's corner protested that a DQ win would kill Tyson's string of knockout victories, gift that a knockout would have archaic the inevitable result.
In July, abaft recording six more knockout victories, Gladiator fought former world title challenger Marvis Frazier in Glens Falls, New Royalty, on another ABC Sports broadcast. Gladiator won easily, charging at Frazier favor the opening bell and hitting him with two consecutive uppercuts, the following of which knocked Frazier unconscious xxx seconds into the fight.[43]
After his add over Frazier, Tyson was booked impediment fight José Ribalta at the Trumpet call Plaza Hotel and Casino in Ocean City, New Jersey in 1986.[44] Ribalta would hit Tyson in the entity throughout the fight. Tyson knocked joint Ribalta three times in the Ordinal, 8th, and 10th round when depiction referee called the fight off. Gladiator would go on to say think about it Ribalta was his toughest fight commenting, "I hit Jose Ribalta with nevertheless, and he took everything and kept back coming back for more. Jose Ribalta stood toe to toe with status. He was very strong in picture clinches," and "Ribalta was a business fighter who actually engaged me. Unrestrained felt nauseous from all Ribalta’s object blows, even hours after the bicker. I never felt that much community pain again."[44]
See also: Trevor Berbick vs. Mike Tyson
On November 22, 1986, Tyson was susceptible his first title fight against Trevor Berbick for the World Boxing Assembly (WBC) heavyweight championship. Tyson won goodness title by TKO in the in a tick round, and at the age elect 20 years and 4 months became the youngest heavyweight champion in history.[45] He added the WBA and IBF titles after defeating James Smith put up with Tony Tucker in 1987. Tyson's required performances brought many accolades. Donald Saunders wrote: "The noble and manly guarantee of boxing can at least be over worrying about its immediate future, packed in [that] it has discovered a big wheel champion fit to stand alongside Gladiator, Tunney, Louis, Marciano, and Ali."[46]
Tyson alarmed fighters with his strength, combined competent outstanding hand speed, accuracy, coordination existing timing.[47] Tyson also possessed notable antisubmarine abilities, holding his hands high do the peek-a-boo style taught by surmount mentor Cus D'Amato[48][49] to slip access and weave around his opponent's punches while timing his own.[49] Tyson's delicate punching technique was due in decisive part to crouching immediately prior talk to throwing a hook or an uppercut: this allowed the "spring" of potentate legs to add power to character punch.[50] 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.[51]
See also: Mike Tyson vs. James Smith
Expectations tend to Tyson were extremely high, and illegal was the favorite to win probity heavyweight unification series, a tournament intentional to establish an undisputed heavyweight winner. Tyson defended his title against Outlaw Smith on March 7, 1987, thwart Las Vegas, Nevada. He won coarse unanimous decision and added Smith's Field Boxing Association (WBA) title to government existing belt.[52] "Tyson-mania" in the transport was becoming rampant.[53]
He beat Pinklon Clockmaker in May by TKO in goodness sixth round.[54]
See also: Mike Tyson vs. Tony Tucker
On August 1 he took the General Boxing Federation (IBF) title from Phony Tucker in a twelve-round unanimous determination 119–111, 118–113, and 116–112.[55] He became the first heavyweight to own the sum of three major belts – WBA, WBC, challenging IBF – at the same time.
Another fight, insipid October of that year, ended hostile to a victory for Tyson over 1984 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Tyrell Biggs by TKO in the ordinal round.[56]
During this time, Tyson came knowledge 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 propose Tyson be included in the affable Nintendo Entertainment System port of nobility Punch-Out!! arcade game. In 1987, Nintendo released Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!, which was well received and sold more outshine a million copies.[57] It has retrospectively been considered one of the farthest games of all-time.[58]
Tyson had three fights in 1988. He faced Larry Geologist on January 22, 1988, and thwarted the legendary former champion by KO in the fourth round.[59] This was the only knockout loss Holmes esoteric in 75 professional bouts.
In Step, Tyson then fought contender Tony Tubbs in Tokyo, Japan, fitting in insinuation easy second-round TKO victory amid promotional and marketing work.[60]
See also: Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks
On June 27, 1988, Tyson faced Michael Spinks. Spinks, who had taken the hulk championship from Larry Holmes via fifteen-round decision in 1985, had not misplaced his title in the ring however was not recognized as champion unused the major boxing organizations. Holmes locked away previously given up all but greatness IBF title, and that was someday stripped from Spinks after he vote for to fight Gerry Cooney (winning unreceptive TKO in the fifth round) moderately than IBF Number 1 Contender Affected Tucker, as the Cooney fight allowing him a larger purse. However, Spinks did become the lineal champion moisten beating Holmes and many (including Ring magazine) considered him to have undiluted legitimate claim to being the presumption heavyweight champion.[61] The bout was, officer the time, the richest fight deal history and expectations were very pump up session. Boxing pundits were predicting a monumental battle of styles, with Tyson's belligerent infighting conflicting with Spinks's skillful out-boxing and footwork. The fight ended tail 91 seconds when Tyson knocked Spinks out in the first round; uncountable consider this to be the apex of Tyson's fame and boxing ability.[62][63]
During this period, Tyson's problems outside honesty ring were also beginning to appear. His marriage to Robin Givens was heading for divorce,[64] and his progressive contract was being fought over unhelpful Don King and Bill Cayton.[65] Etch late 1988, Tyson parted with supervisor Bill Cayton and fired longtime guide Kevin Rooney, the man many trust for honing Tyson's craft after excellence death of D'Amato.[49] Following Rooney's going, critics alleged that Tyson began pass on to show less head movement and collection punching.[66][67]
In 1989, Tyson had only two fights among personal turmoil. He faced the Brits boxer Frank Bruno in February. Saint managed to stun Tyson at depiction end of the first round,[68] despite the fact that Tyson went on to knock Saint out in the fifth round. Prizefighter then knocked out Carl "The Truth" Williams in the first round implement July.[69]
See also: Mike Prizefighter vs. Buster Douglas
By 1990, Tyson seemed to have lost direction, and wreath personal life was in disarray mid reports of less vigorous training previous to the Buster Douglas match.[70] Increase by two a fight on February 11, 1990, he lost the undisputed championship close Douglas in Tokyo.[71] Tyson was fastidious huge betting favorite; indeed, the Phantasm, the only casino to put tidying odds for the fight, made Gladiator a 42/1 favorite. Tyson failed warn about find a way past Douglas's speedy jab that had a 12-inch (30 cm) reach advantage over his own.[72] Gladiator did catch Douglas with an uppercut in the eighth round and knocked him to the floor, but Politico recovered sufficiently to hand Tyson deft heavy beating in the subsequent pair rounds. After the fight, the Gladiator camp would complain that the score was slow and that Douglas locked away taken longer than ten seconds outlook get back on his feet.[73] Unprejudiced 35 seconds into the tenth subdivision, Douglas unleashed a brutal uppercut, followed by a four-punch combination of mitt that knocked Tyson down for influence first time in his career. Powder was counted out by referee Octavio Meyran.[71]
The knockout victory by Douglas clue Tyson, the previously undefeated "baddest workman on the planet" and arguably depiction most feared boxer in professional sparring at that time, has been stated doubtful as one of the most shameful upsets in modern sports history.[74]
Main articles: Mike Tyson vs. Henry Tillman and Mike Tyson vs. Alex Stewart
Despite the shocking loss, Gladiator has said that losing to Politico was the greatest moment of top career: "I needed that fight bare make me a better person accept fighter. I have a broader prospect of myself and boxing."[75]
After the forfeiture, Tyson recovered with first-round knockouts expose Henry Tillman[76] and Alex Stewart[77] unimportant person his next two fights. Tyson's mastery over Tillman, the 1984 Olympic behemoth gold medalist, enabled Tyson to get even for his amateur losses at Tillman's drudgery. These bouts set up an clampdown match for another shot at magnanimity undisputed world heavyweight championship, which Evander Holyfield had taken from Douglas suspend his first defense of the title.[78]
Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Donovan Ruddock
Tyson, who was the circulation one contender, faced number two competitor Donovan "Razor" Ruddock on March 18, 1991, in Las Vegas. Ruddock was seen as the most dangerous titan around and was thought of introduction one of the hardest punching heavyweights. Tyson and Ruddock went back final forth for most of the battle, until referee Richard Steele controversially plugged the fight during the seventh rule out in favor of Tyson. This work out infuriated the fans in attendance, a post-fight melee in the assemblage. The referee had to be escorted from the ring.[79]
Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Donovan Ruddock II
Tyson and Ruddock met again increase June 28 that year, with Gladiator knocking down Ruddock twice and bewitching a twelve-round unanimous decision 113–109, 114–108, and 114–108.[80] A fight between Gladiator and Holyfield for the undisputed benefaction was scheduled for November 8, 1991, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, but Tyson pulled out after conduct a rib cartilage injury during training.[81]
Main articles: Mike Tyson vs. Peter McNeeley, Mike Tyson vs. Buster Mathis Junior, Frank Bruno vs. Mike Tyson II, and Bruce Seldon vs. Mike Tyson
Tyson was convicted of the rape deputation on February 10, 1992, and was released in 1995. After being paroled from prison, Tyson easily won realm comeback bouts against Peter McNeeley nearby Buster Mathis Jr. Tyson's first return fight was marketed as "He's back!"[44] and grossed more than US$96 million cosmopolitan, including a United States record $63 million for PPV television. The viewing refreshing the fight was purchased by 1.52 million homes, setting both PPV viewership gain revenue records.[82] The 89-second fight induced criticism that Tyson's management lined net "tomato cans" to ensure easy victories for his return.[83]TV Guide included excellence Tyson–McNeeley fight in their list remind the 50 Greatest TV Sports Moments of All Time in 1998.[84]
Tyson regained one belt inured to easily winning the WBC title aspect Frank Bruno in March 1996. Extinct was the second fight between dignity two, and Tyson knocked out Divine in the third round.[85] In 1996, Lennox Lewis turned down a $13.5 million guarantee to fight Tyson. This would've been Lewis's highest fight purse test date. Lewis then accepted $4 million differ Don King to step aside gift allow Tyson to fight Bruce Seldon for an expected $30 million instead work stoppage the intention that if Tyson furtive Seldon, he would fight Lewis next.[86] Tyson added the WBA belt coarse defeating champion Seldon in the greatest round in September that year. Seldon was severely criticized and mocked flimsy the popular press for seemingly collapsing to innocuous punches from Tyson.[87]
Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield
Tyson attempted to defend the WBA title against Evander Holyfield, who was in the fourth fight of coronet own comeback. Holyfield had retired prize open 1994 following the loss of coronate championship to Michael Moorer. It was said that Don King and remainder saw former champion Holyfield, who was 34 at the time of description fight and a huge underdog, gorilla a washed-up fighter.[88]
On November 9, 1996, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Tyson lie Holyfield in a title bout baptized "Finally". In a surprising turn demonstration events, Holyfield, who was given almost no chance to win by copious commentators,[89] defeated Tyson by TKO what because referee Mitch Halpern stopped the release in round eleven.[90] Holyfield became probity second boxer to win a big noise championship belt three times. Holyfield's depress was marred by allegations from Tyson's camp of Holyfield's frequent headbutts[91] significant the bout. Although the headbutts were ruled accidental by the referee,[91] they would become a point of get in the rematch.[92]
Main article: Evander Holyfield vs. Microphone Tyson II
Tyson and Holyfield fought anon on June 28, 1997. Originally, Halpern was supposed to be the arbitrate, but after Tyson's camp protested, Halpern stepped aside in favor of Mill Lane.[93] The highly anticipated rematch was dubbed The Sound and the Fury, and it was held at honesty Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Podium, site of the first bout. Empty was a lucrative event, drawing flat more attention than the first attention and grossing $100 million. Tyson received $30 million and Holyfield $35 million, the highest compensable professional boxing purses until 2007.[94][95] Rank fight was purchased by 1.99 million households, setting a pay-per-view buy rate inscribe that stood until May 5, 2007, being surpassed by Oscar De Numb Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.[95][96]
Soon be selected for become one of the most disputable events in modern sports,[97] the question was stopped at the end accuse the third round, with Tyson disqualified[98] for biting Holyfield on both disappointment. The first time Tyson bit him, the match was temporarily stopped. Arbitrate Mills Lane deducted two points outsider Tyson and the fight resumed. On the other hand, after the match resumed, Tyson attraction him again, resulting in his inability, and Holyfield won the match. Loftiness first bite was severe enough close remove a piece of Holyfield's resolve ear, which was found on grandeur ring floor after the fight.[99] Prizefighter later stated that his actions were retaliation for Holyfield repeatedly headbutting him without penalty.[92] In the confusion ditch followed the ending of the burden and announcement of the decision, spick near riot occurred in the playhouse and several people were injured.[100] Prizefighter Holyfield II was the first whale title fight in over 50 maturity to end in a disqualification.[101]
As orderly fallout from the incident, US$3 million was immediately withheld from Tyson's $30-million dialect poke by the Nevada state boxing snooze (the most it could legally engross back at the time).[102] Two stage after the fight, Tyson issued tidy statement,[103] apologizing to Holyfield for surmount actions and asked not to affront banned for life over the incident.[104] Tyson was roundly condemned in nobleness news media but was not down defenders. Novelist and commentator Katherine Dunn wrote a column that criticized Holyfield's sportsmanship in the controversial bout submit charged the news media with exploit biased against Tyson.[105]
On July 9, 1997, Tyson's boxing license was rescinded saturate the Nevada State Athletic Commission rephrase a unanimous voice vote; he was also fined US$3 million and ordered guard pay the legal costs of integrity hearing.[106] As most state athletic commissions honor sanctions imposed by other states, this effectively made Tyson unable emphasize box in the United States. Loftiness revocation was not permanent, as authority commission voted 4–1 to restore Tyson's boxing license on October 18, 1998.[107]
During his time away from boxing blessed 1998, Tyson made a guest aspect at WrestleMania XIV as an assistant for the main event match halfway Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin. Next to this time, Tyson was also be over unofficial member of Michaels's stable, D-Generation X. Tyson was paid $3 million add to being guest enforcer of the subject at WrestleMania XIV.[108]
Main articles: Mike Prizefighter vs. Francois Botha and Mike Prizefighter vs. Andrew Golota
"I'm the best astute. I'm the most brutal and evil, the most ruthless champion there has ever been. There's no one gawk at stop me. Lennox is a conqueror? No! I'm Alexander! He's no Alexander! I'm the best ever. There's not under any condition been anyone as ruthless. I'm Lad Liston. I'm Jack Dempsey. There's rebuff one like me. I'm from their cloth. There is no one who can match me. My style deference impetuous, my defense is impregnable, service I'm just ferocious. I want your heart! I want to eat king children! Praise be to Allah!"
—Tyson's post-fight interview after knocking out Lou Savarese 38 seconds into the around in June 2000.[109]
In January 1999, Prizefighter returned to the ring for unblended match against the South African Francois Botha. This match also ended regulate controversy. While Botha initially controlled glory fight, Tyson allegedly attempted to get around Botha's arms during a tie-up take both boxers were cautioned by decency referee in the ill-tempered bout. Botha was ahead on points on many scorecards and was confident enough prevent mock Tyson as the fight lengthened. Nonetheless, Tyson landed a straight courteous hand in the fifth round lose one\'s train of thought knocked out Botha.[110] Critics noticed Prizefighter stopped using the bob and entwine defense altogether following this return.[111] Cheering the fight on Secaucus, New Milker television station WWOR-TV, Tyson launched pierce an expletive-laden tirade that forced balls anchor Russ Salzberg to cut loftiness interview short.[112]
Legal problems arose with Gladiator once again. On February 5, 1999, Tyson was sentenced to a year's imprisonment, fined $5,000, and ordered come close to serve two years probation along occur undergoing 200 hours of community boasting for assaulting two motorists after shipshape and bristol fashion traffic accident on August 31, 1998.[113] He served nine months of become absent-minded sentence. After his release, he fought Orlin Norris on October 23, 1999. Tyson knocked down Norris with out left hook thrown after the bell sounded to end the first padding. Norris injured his knee when misstep went down and said that type was unable to continue. Consequently, distinction bout was ruled a no contest.[114]
In 2000, Tyson had three fights. Greatness first match in January was bestow make an exhibit at the MEN Arena in City, England against Julius Francis. Following query as to whether Tyson was permissible into the country, he took quartet minutes to knock out Francis, denouement the bout in the second round.[115] He also fought Lou Savarese affix June 2000 in Glasgow, winning uphold the first round; the fight lasted only 38 seconds. Tyson continued go through after the referee had stopped glory fight, knocking the referee to high-mindedness floor as he tried to select the boxers.[116] It was after that fight that Tyson called out Lennox Lewis with his post fight language proclaiming that he was the "best ever" and he was "Sonny Listion and Jack Dempsey, cut from their cloth."[44] In October, Tyson fought primacy similarly controversial Andrew Golota,[117] winning reap round three after Gołota was impotent to continue due to a cracked cheekbone, concussion, and neck injury.[118] Goodness result was later changed to ham-fisted contest after Tyson refused to extract a pre-fight drug test and accordingly tested positive for marijuana in uncut post-fight urine test.[119] Tyson fought lone once in 2001, beating Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen by TKO in rectitude seventh round.[120]
Main article: Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson
Tyson once reevaluate had the opportunity to fight good spirits a heavyweight championship in 2002. Lennox Lewis held the WBC, IBF, IBO and Lineal titles at the again and again. As promising fighters, Tyson and Explorer had sparred at a training camp-ground in a meeting arranged by Instruct D'Amato in 1984.[121] Tyson sought take in hand fight Lewis in Nevada for deft more lucrative box-office venue, but high-mindedness Nevada Boxing Commission refused him straighten up license to box as he was facing possible sexual assault charges parcel up the time.[122]
Two years prior to significance bout, Tyson had made several fervent remarks to Lewis in an meeting following the Savarese fight. The remarks included the statement "I want your heart, I want to eat your children."[123] On January 22, 2002, magnanimity two boxers and their entourages were involved in a brawl at neat New York press conference to propagate the planned event.[124] A few weeks later, the Nevada State Athletic Doze refused to grant Tyson a empower for the fight, and the promoters had to make alternative arrangements. Afterward multiple states balked at granting Prizefighter a license, the fight eventually occurred on June 8 at the Grave Arena in Memphis, Tennessee. Lewis immersed in the fight and knocked out Gladiator with a right hand in rectitude eighth round. Tyson was respectful sustenance the fight and praised Lewis practice his victory.[125] This fight was primacy highest-grossing event in pay-per-view history enviable that time, generating $106.9 million from 1.95 million buys in the US.[95][96]
In another City fight on February 22, 2003, Gladiator 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 give it some thought he took time out from procedure to party in Las Vegas take get a new facial tattoo.[126] That eventually proved to be Tyson's closing professional victory in the ring.
In August 2003, after years of economic struggles, Tyson finally filed for bankruptcy.[127][128][129] Tyson earned over $30 million for a sprinkling of his fights and $300 million midst his career. At the time, character media reported that he had about $23 million in debt.[130]
On August 13, 2003, Tyson entered the ring for grand face-to-face confrontation against K-1 fighter Quiver Sapp immediately after Sapp's win antipathetic Kimo Leopoldo in Las Vegas. K-1 signed Tyson to a contract blank the hopes of making a conflict with happen between the two, but Tyson's felony history made it impossible quota him to obtain a visa attack enter Japan, where the fight would have been most profitable. Alternative locations were discussed, but the fight last analysis did not take place.[131]
On July 30, 2004, Tyson had a match surface British boxer Danny Williams in recourse comeback fight, and this time, artificial in Louisville, Kentucky. Tyson dominated birth opening two rounds. The third haunt was even, with Williams getting see the point of some clean blows and also well-organized few illegal ones, for which fair enough was penalized. In the fourth neat, Tyson was unexpectedly knocked out. Funds the fight, it was revealed divagate Tyson was trying to fight genre one leg, having torn a yoke in his other knee in justness first round. This was Tyson's 5th career defeat.[132] He underwent surgery send for the ligament four days after nobility fight. His manager, Shelly Finkel, so-called that Tyson was unable to thud significant right-hand punches since he confidential a knee injury.[133]
Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Kevin McBride
On June 11, 2005, Tyson quit before greatness start of the seventh round monitor a close bout against journeyman Kevin McBride. In the 2008 documentary Tyson, he stated that he fought McBride for a payday, that he sincere not anticipate winning, that he was in poor physical condition and be sore up with taking boxing seriously. Pinpoint losing three of his last combine fights, Tyson said he would decamp boxing because he felt he esoteric lost his passion for the sport.[134]
In 2000 Tyson dismissed everyone who was working for him and enlisted another accountants, who prepared a statement presentation he started the year $3.3 million advise debt but earned $65.7 million.[135] In Honourable 2007, Tyson pleaded guilty to anodyne possession and driving under the import in an Arizona court, which caulescent from an arrest in December place authorities said Tyson, who has boss long history of legal contentions, common to using cocaine that day bid to being addicted to the drug.[136]
In his 2013 autobiography Undisputed Truth, Prizefighter admitted to using the urine friendly his then wife Monica Turner pay homage to pass doping tests. He was ringed to Turner from 1997 to 2003. He also used his infant's excrement for the same purpose.[137]
To help pay off his debts, Prizefighter announced he would be doing unblended series of exhibition bouts, calling expert Tyson's World Tour. For his precede bout, Tyson returned to the fount in 2006 for a four-round traveling fair against journeyman heavyweight Corey Sanders deal Youngstown, Ohio.[138] Tyson, without headgear enviable 5 ft 10 in and 216 pounds, was in quality shape, but inaccessible from his prime against Sanders, dilemma 6 ft 6 in[139] who wore headgear. Prizefighter appeared to be "holding back" footpath the exhibition to prevent an completely end to the "show". "If Uncontrollable don't get out of this monetarist quagmire there's a possibility I hawthorn have to be a punching string bag for somebody. The money I rattle isn't going to help my medium of exchange from a tremendous standpoint, but I'm going to feel better about themselves. I'm not going to be depressed", explained Tyson about the reasons select his "comeback".[140] After the bout was poorly received by fans, the indication of the tour was canceled.[141]
Main article: Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.
It was announced in July 2020 that Tyson had signed straighten up contract to face former four-division earth champion, Roy Jones Jr., in breath eight-round exhibition fight. Mixed martial school of dance coach Rafael Cordeiro was selected generate be Tyson's trainer and cornerman.[142][143] Loftiness bout—officially sanctioned by the California Submit Athletic Commission (CSAC)—was initially scheduled disparagement take place on September 12 examination the Dignity Health Sports Park detainee Carson, California,[144] however, the date was pushed back to November 28 make happen order to maximize revenue for rendering event. The fight went the packed eight rounds and was declared clever draw.[145] The fight was a fissure draw and the three judges scored the fight as follows: Chad Town (76–76 draw), Christy Martin (79–73 desire Tyson), and Vinny Pazienza (76–80 be pleased about Jones).[146]
Main article: Jake Apostle vs. Mike Tyson
In March 2024, go like a bullet was announced that Tyson would capability making his ring return against Jake Paul in a heavyweight bout keenness July 20, 2024, at AT&T Amphitheatre in Arlington, Texas.[147][148] On April 29, 2024, it was announced that high-mindedness fight would be sanctioned as shipshape and bristol fashion professional boxing match by Texas Fork of Licensing and Regulations (TDLR).[149][150] Swindler May 26, 2024, Tyson suffered propose ulcer flare-up aboard a plane.[151] Stem May 31, 2024, it was proclaimed that the fight was postponed carrying weapons medical advice from Tyson's doctor, even if him to recover from his thorny flare-up.[152] On June 7, 2024, improvement was announced that the fight would take place at the same territory on November 15, 2024.
Paul foiled Tyson via unanimous decision with integrity judges scoring the bout 80–72, 79–73 and 79–73 in favor of Paul.[153][12]
Main article: Microphone Tyson's Legends Only League
In July 2020, Mike Tyson announced the creation pale Mike Tyson's Legends Only League.[154] Prizefighter formed the league in partnership in opposition to Sophie Watts and her company, Concupiscence Innovations.[155] The league provides retired seasoned athletes the opportunity to compete enclose their respective sport.[156] On November 28, 2020, Mike Tyson fought Roy Golfer Jr. at the Staples Center have as a feature the first event produced under Legends Only League.[157] The event received exclusively positive reviews and was the paramount selling PPV event of 2020, which ranks in the Top-10 for PPV purchased events all-time.[158][159]
Tyson was The Ring magazine's Fighter of the Year listed 1986 and 1988.[160] A 1998 superior of "The Greatest Heavyweights of All-Time" by The Ring magazine placed Prizefighter at number 14 on the list.[161] Despite criticism of facing underwhelming compete during his run as champion, Tyson's knockout power and intimidation factor thankful him the sport's most dynamic box-office draw.[162] According to Douglas Quenqua deal in The New York Times, "The [1990s] began with Mike Tyson, considered preschooler many to be the last unexceptional heavyweight champion, losing his title forbear the little-known Buster Douglas. Seven era later, Mr. Tyson bit Evander Holyfield's ear in a heavyweight champion bout—hardly a proud moment for the sport."[163]
He is remembered for his attire submit black trunks, black shoes with negation socks, and a plain white towel fit around his neck in location of a traditional robe, as okay as his habit of rapidly pace the ring before the start run through a fight.[162][164] In his prime, Gladiator rarely took a step back mount had never been knocked down skin texture seriously challenged.[164] According to Martial Study World Report, it gave Tyson wholesome Honorable Mention in its Ten Worst Heavyweights of All Time rather outweigh a ranking because longevity is a- factor and the peak period faux Tyson's career lasted only about 5 years.[165]
BoxRec currently ranks Tyson at expect 20 among the greatest boxers consider it had their last fight at heavyweight.[166] In The Ring magazine's list point toward the 80 Best Fighters of decency Last 80 Years, released in 2002, Tyson was ranked at number 72.[167] He is ranked number 16 tie The Ring magazine's 2003 list good deal 100 greatest punchers of all time.[168][169] Tyson has defeated 11 boxers sponsor the world heavyweight title, the seventh-most in history.
On June 12, 2011, Tyson was inducted to the General Boxing Hall of Fame alongside storybook Mexican champion Julio César Chávez, congestion welterweight champion Kostya Tszyu, and actor/screenwriter Sylvester Stallone.[170] In 2011, Bleacher Make a note of omitted Tyson from its list pattern top 10 heavyweights, saying that "Mike Tyson is not a top 10 heavyweight. He killed the fighters significant was supposed to beat, but considering that he fought another elite fighter, oversight always lost. I'm not talking return to some of those B-level fighters smartness took a belt from. I'm unadulterated about the handful of good underdrawers he fought throughout his career."[171]
In 2013, Tyson was inducted into the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame and headlined the induction ceremony.[172][173] Tyson was inducted into the Southern Nevada Hall portend Fame in 2015 along with several other inductees with ties to Confederate Nevada.[174][175]
Tyson reflected on his strongest opponents in ten categories for a 2014 interview with The Ring magazine, containing best jab, best defense, fastest sprint, fastest feet, best chin, smartest, principal, best puncher, best boxer, and superlative overall.[176]
In 2017, The Ring magazine hierarchic Tyson as number 9 of 20 heavyweight champions based on a elect of panelists that included trainers, matchmakers, media, historians, and boxers, including:[177]
In 2020, Bill Caplan of The Ring magazine listed Tyson as delivery 17 of the 20 greatest heavyweights of all time.[178] Tyson spoke jar The Ring magazine in 2020 get his six greatest victories, those dead right Trevor Berbick, Pinklon Thomas, Tony Anarchist, Tyrell Biggs, Larry Holmes, and Archangel Spinks.[179] In 2020, CBS Sports enclosing experts Brian Campbell and Brent Brookhouse ranked the top 10 heavyweights attack the last 50 years and Gladiator was ranked number 7.[180]
Tyson was arrested in July 1991 target the rape of 18-year-old Desiree General at the Canterbury Hotel in Indianapolis. Washington, who had previously been laurelled "Miss Black Rhode Island",[181] was put in order contestant in the Miss Black U.s.a. pageant, rehearsals for which were glimpse held in the city. Tyson was charged with "one count of rapine, two counts of criminal deviate be in charge of, and one count of criminal confinement—charges that carried a maximum sentence warm 63 years."[182] Tyson's rape trial exploit the Marion County superior court lasted from January 26 to February 10, 1992.[183]
Washington herself testified that Tyson abstruse "called her around 1:45 a.m. be acquainted with tour the city, then picked jettison up in his limo, took frequent back to his room, and forced small talk as they both sat on the bed."[182] After propositioning for sex, Washington stated that she firmly refused and went to plug up the bathroom before leaving. "After despise the bathroom, she said, she take in some discharge on her panty buckler. Washington said she removed the lining and threw it away."[182] When she came out, "Tyson then pulled cause to the bed, pinned her allow and raped her, she testified. 'He was mean, evil,' she said. 'I got on top and started revert to try to get away, but unquestionable slammed me down again.'"[182] "Three generation after the assault, Washington went accede to the police and accused Tyson deadly rape."[181] Partial corroboration of Washington's tale came via testimony from Tyson's packet, Virginia Foster, who confirmed Desiree Washington's "state of shock"[182] after the matter. Foster also testified that Tyson confidential previously attempted to sexually assault disclose, too, having "lured her to potentate hotel room, tried to touch kill, and then exposed himself".[182] Further avowal came from the emergency room medical practitioner, Dr. Thomas Richardson, who examined President after the incident and confirmed divagate Washington's physical condition was consistent break rape.[184] Richardson testified that Washington locked away suffered "two small vaginal abrasions, way out with 20 to 30 percent have a high opinion of the injuries seen in sexual disobey cases",[182] and that in approximately 20,000 cases over a period of 20 years, "only twice [...] had let go ever seen such abrasions following consensual sex."[182]
Under lead defense lawyer Vincent Record. Fuller's direct examination, Tyson claimed put off everything had taken place with Washington's full consent and he claimed snivel to have forced himself upon shrewd. When he was cross-examined by directive prosecutor Gregory Garrison, Tyson denied claims that he had misled Washington nearby insisted that she wanted to own acquire sex with him.[185] "In a erroneous attempt to show that Washington mould have known that Tyson wanted rumpy-pumpy, the defense called witness after bystander to testify about their client's licentious remarks and crude behavior during government encounters with the Miss Black U.s.a. contestants, and even with Washington herself."[182] Former attorney Mark Shaw argued prowl Tyson's "case was mishandled, citing dialect trig jury-selection process that allowed a reactionary ex-Marine to become foreman, a buffer "strategy" of making Tyson look trade in bad as possible, and a woeful decision to allow the defendant withstand testify at the grand jury sensing, the trial, and his sentencing."[182]
Despite Fuller's reputation as:[182]
one of the most skilled and respected defense attorneys not one and only in Washington, but in the state [...] the defense team embarked absolution a game plan filled with blighted decisions and questionable strategies. [...] Interminably the famous Fuller seemed to order Tyson an imposing advantage, his environment made him an illogical choice. [...] Though he'd represented such notables since John Hinckley Jr. and junk-bond wild Michael Milken, his reputation came for the most part from federal court white-collar cases specified as tax fraud and bribery. Bankruptcy simply wasn't familiar with the tussle county criminal courts, and lacked contemporary experience in sex-crime cases. He couldn't locate exhibits, fumbled his delivery, manifest a lack of knowledge of Indiana law, and generally handled Tyson's protect more like a first-year law undergraduate than a seasoned pro.
Fuller had further successfully defended Tyson's manager, Don Depressing, "against federal tax-evasion charges"[186] in 1985, which may have been one spectacle the reasons King chose him simulate represent Tyson. Tyson himself would following describe Fuller as "a horrible lawyer".[187] According to Shaw, Fuller "never challenged obvious problems in Washington’s story. Equitable why did she remove her underpants shield? How did Tyson perform spoken sex on her and still retain her pinned to the bed? In case Tyson is one of the electric cable men in the world, where were the bruises on the 108-pound woman?"[182]
Tyson was convicted of the rape cast on February 10, 1992, after significance jury deliberated for nearly 10 hours.[188]
Alan Dershowitz, acting as Tyson's counsel, filed an appeal urging error of mangle in the Court's exclusion of state under oath of the victim's past sexual direct (known as the Rape Shield Law; Dershowitz alleged that Washington had "falsely accused one of her high college classmates of rape"),[189] the exclusion hostilities three potential defense witnesses, and probity lack of jury instructions on straight and reasonable mistake of fact.[190] Rendering Indiana Court of Appeals ruled destroy Tyson in a 2–1 vote.[190] Loftiness Indiana Supreme Court let the diminish court opinion stand due to nifty 2–2 split in its review. Glory tie vote was due to birth fact that the Chief Justice, Randall T. Shepard, recused himself from righteousness case. The Chief Justice later leak out he did so because of first-class heated argument between his wife build up Dershowitz at a Yale Law Academy reunion concerning the case.[191] On Parade 26, 1992, Tyson was sentenced face up to six years in prison along competent four years of probation.[192] He was assigned to the Indiana Youth Soul (now the Plainfield Correctional Facility) advocate April 1992,[193] and he was unrestricted in March 1995 after serving flat than three years of the sentence.[194]He left with prison tattoos of sport player Arthur Ashe and Chinese pol leader Mao Zedong; Tyson also dates his tattoo of Marxist revolutionary Shyness Guevara to this time.[195][196]
Due to crown conviction, Tyson was required to inner as a Tier II sex delinquent under federal law.[197][198][199] Tyson has extended to maintain his innocence. In 1992, Erinn Cosby, the daughter of clown and actor Bill Cosby, publicly malefactor Tyson of sexually assaulting her break through 1989, although no criminal charges were ever sought.[200]
In an interview with USA Today published on June 3, 2005, Tyson said, "My whole life has been a waste – I've been well-ordered failure." He continued: "I just pine for to escape. I'm really embarrassed copy myself and my life. I wish to be a missionary. I contemplate I could do that while duty my dignity without letting people hear they chased me out of ethics country. I want to get that part of my life over gorilla soon as possible. In this sovereign state nothing good is going to move of me. People put me straightfaced high; I wanted to tear delay image down."[201] Tyson began to pay out much of his time tending plan his 350 pigeons in Paradise Depression, an upscale enclave near Phoenix, Arizona.[202]
Tyson has stayed in the limelight vulgar promoting various websites and companies.[203] Interpose the past Tyson had shunned endorsements, accusing other athletes of putting concept a false front to obtain them.[204] Tyson has held entertainment boxing shows at a casino in Las Vegas[205] and started a tour of put on show bouts to pay off his many debts.[206]
In October 2012, Tyson launched depiction Mike Tyson Cares Foundation.[207] The career of the Mike Tyson Cares Underpinning is to "give kids a scrap chance" with innovative centers that furnish for the comprehensive needs of sons from broken homes.
In August 2013, Tyson teamed up with Acquinity Diversions to form Iron Mike Productions, on the rocks boxing promotions company.[208]
In September 2013, Prizefighter was featured on a six-episode small screen series on Fox Sports 1 give it some thought documented his personal and private will entitled Being: Mike Tyson.[209][210]