10 Most Ridiculous Moments Of Mike Tyson's Career
David Craig Highlights
- Tyson's tumultuous relationship with Robin Givens led to a year of bad press before they got divorced in 1988.
- His street fight with Mitch Green in 1988 was just one example of 'Iron Mike' being uncontrollable during that time.
- One of the wildest moments in boxing history was Tyson biting Evander Holyfield during their 1997 rematch.
'Iron' Mike Tyson is one of the greatest boxers of all time, and there's little doubt about that. He first became heavyweight champion at just 20 years old and would go on to defeat the likes of Larry Holmes and Michael Spinks. Tyson remained active as a professional until 2005, retiring after losses to the likes of Kevin McBride and Lennox Lewis.
10 Biggest Boxing Fights That Never Happened
These are the dream boxing bouts that never came to fruition and one that shouldn't have happened at all.Well, that was until now. Recently, Mike Tyson signed a deal to face YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in the ring on July 20th on Netflix. Ahead of the boxing legend's return, let's take a look at the most ridiculous moments of his career.
10 His Highly-Publicized Marriage With Robin Givens
'Iron Mike' Was Uncontrollable In 1988
- Mike Tyson began dating actress Robin Givens in 1987.
- The two got married the following year.
- After a year of tons of bad press, the pair got divorced.
Heading into 1988, Mike Tyson was on top of the world. He was an undefeated world heavyweight champion, still in his early 20s, and was in a relationship with famous actress Robin Givens. In February, the two got married.
For a year, Tyson and Givens would be in the headlines due to their on-and-off tumultuous relationship. If you want to see how uncomfortable things got between the two, their interview with Barbara Walters from that September is a prime example. The following month after that interview, they separated for good.
9 His Street Fight With Mitch 'Blood' Green
Again, 'Iron Mike' Was Uncontrollable In 1988
Mike Tyson | Mitch Green |
|---|---|
5'10" | 6'5" |
215 Pounds | 233 Pounds |
20-0 (Pre-Fight Record) | 16-1-1 (Pre-Fight Record) |
In 1986, Mike Tyson was on the rise and hoping to become heavyweight champion. He would accomplish that feat later in the year but first had to defeat several contenders along the way. One of those contenders was Mitch Green, whom Tyson defeated in May 1986.
Two years later, 'Blood' saw Tyson on the streets of Harlem, and the two got into a heated argument. Just like that, the rematch was going down on the streets of New York. According to most accounts of the contest, Tyson battered his rival.
8 Mike Tyson Went To Prison In The Middle Of His Prime
Tyson Was Convicted Of Rape In 1992
- In the summer of 1991, Mike Tyson was arrested on charges of rape.
- The following year, he was found guilty and served three years in prison.
- Tyson exited prison and was champion within a year.
In 1991, Mike Tyson was accused of rape by Desiree Washington. The boxer maintained his innocence but was later found guilty the following year. After multiple appeals, Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison.
10 Things Mike Tyson Wants You To Forget About
Mike Tyson had a sensational boxing career and numerous regrettable moments.He was later released after serving three years and returned to professional boxing with a bunch of new prison tattoos. Within a year of his comeback, Tyson was again heavyweight champion, a feat that defies belief.
7 Giving Away A New Car After A Fender Bender
This Happened The Night Before Mike Tyson's Rematch With Evander Holyfield
- Mike Tyson reportedly gifted a lot of expensive items in his prime.
- The night before his rematch with Evander Holyfield, his new Lamborghini had a minor accident.
- Tyson thought that was a sign of bad luck, and gave the car away instantly.
Something that a lot of fans don't know is that Mike Tyson was quite generous during his prime. 'Iron Mike' admitted that he would give out gifts to random people often, due to how poor he was when he was coming up as a child.
Broadcaster Jim Gray wrote in his book 'Talking to Goats', that Tyson was generous just the night before his famed rematch with Evander Holyfield. According to the commentator, the boxer was in a Las Vegas parking lot, when someone backed into his new Lamborghini. As Gray tells it, Tyson thought the car was bad luck, and just gave the keys to the valet that night rather than keep the luxurious vehicle.
6 Biting Evander Holyfield In Their 1997 Rematch
This Is One Of The Wildest Moments In Sporting History
Evander Holyfield | Mike Tyson |
|---|---|
6'2" | 5'10" |
218 Pounds | 218 Pounds |
33-3 (Pre-Fight Record) | 45-2 (Pre-Fight Record) |
The 1997 rematch between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield is one of the biggest fights in boxing history. While the two men had a great fight the year previous that saw 'The Real Deal' win by stoppage, nobody could've guessed how the second act would go.
As the story goes, Tyson was frustrated early in the bout, due to Holyfield headbutting him. The referee didn't see, and the boxer took action into his own hands. Tyson bit Holyfield, taking off a chunk of his ear. He attempted to bite the second ear as well but failed. He would get disqualified after the second attempt, in one of the wildest scenes in sporting history.
5 Fighting Lennox Lewis At A Press Conference
Mike Tyson and 'The Lion' Just Couldn't Wait To Fight
Lennox Lewis | Mike Tyson |
|---|---|
6'5" | 5'10" |
249 Pounds | 234 Pounds |
39-2-1 (Pre-Fight Record) | 49-3 (Pre-Fight Record) |
When Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis finally signed a deal to fight in 2002, fans were thrilled. Talk of 'Iron Mike' and 'The Lion' fighting was present throughout much of the 90s, but the two failed to get a deal done for a long time.
10 Best Heavyweight Champions In Boxing History, Ranked
Witnessing, battling, and triumphing, these are ten heavyweight champions who ruled the division.In January, the two boxers held a press conference to formally announce the bout. However, the presser never even got started. After Lewis walked on stage, Tyson walked across and began fighting him. After the two were separated, the wild boxer then gave a profanity-filled tirade for the ages.
4 His Decision To Get A Face Tattoo Days Before A Fight
Tyson Got Inked Days Before His 50th Career Win
- Mike Tyson signed to fight Clifford Etienne after losing to Lennox Lewis.
- 'Iron Mike' reportedly wasn't focused on the fight, and it was nearly canceled.
- On fight day, fans learned that Tyson's odd behavior during the week was because of his plans to get a new face tattoo.
Mike Tyson stated that he would get a face tattoo if he defeated Lennox Lewis. However, 'Iron Mike' lost the bout, but decided to keep on fighting despite being past his prime. He signed a deal to fight Clifford Etienne on his return in 2003.
The fight, which nearly didn't happen due to Tyson's erratic behavior, wound up being a dominant one. The legend scored a knockout win inside a round, his 50th, and last victory. To add to the drama, Tyson showed up on fight night with a new face tattoo that he got days before the bout.
3 Mike Tyson Broke His Back, Spinal
'Iron Mike' Apparently Fought Clifford Etienne Injured
Mike Tyson | Clifford Etienne |
|---|---|
5'10" | 6'2" |
225 Pounds | 222 Pounds |
49-4 (Pre-Fight Record) | 24-1-1 (Pre-Fight Record) |
When Mike Tyson fought Clifford Etienne in 2002, the fight itself was very uncompetitive. 'Iron Mike' was past his prime, but still got a knockout win in round one. As it turns out, Tyson was actually fighting injured that night.
Post-fight, the boxer gave one of the funniest interviews in the history of sports. When asked what went wrong for him during fight week, Tyson stated that he literally broke his back in camp. When asked to clarify, he stated that the issue was "spinal", but didn't clarify beyond that.
2 Destroying A Man On An Airplane For Annoying Him
We Can't Really Blame The Boxer Here
- In April 2022, Mike Tyson was seen being harassed by a man in a viral video.
- Later in the flight, 'Iron Mike' was seen battering the man.
- He wasn't arrested for the incident.
In April 2022, Mike Tyson was seen in a Jetblue fight, in a series of videos. One man was reportedly harassing the boxer, trying to get his attention. While Tyson no-sold most of the man's harassment, he reportedly couldn't after having water thrown at him.
Tyson reportedly stood and just destroyed the man in the seat behind him, bloodying him in the process. He faced no legal issues regarding the situation.
1 Tyson's Decision To Fight Jake Paul At 57 Years Old
It Doesn't Get More Ridiculous Than This
Mike Tyson | Jake Paul |
|---|---|
5'10" | 6'1" |
220 Pounds | 200 Pounds |
57 Years Old | 27 Years Old |
50-6 (Pre-Fight Record) | 9-1 (Pre-Fight Record) |
Yes, Mike Tyson had an exhibition fight with Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020. However, it appears that the legend will be returning for one more professional bout against Jake Paul this summer. If it happens, it will be Tyson's first pro fight since losing to Kevin McBride in 2005.
Yes, it will be a massive fight, and arguably the biggest of 2024. Still, to see a legend come out of his retirement in his 50s for what is essentially a freakshow fight is ridiculous.
