Mike Tyson is a fascinating figure with his fair share of ups and downs in life, but his story is nothing short of inspiring. From his early days as a determined young boxer to his meteoric rise to fame and fortune, Mike’s life is filled with twists and turns that will keep you hooked. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the boxing world, Mike Tyson is a name worth knowing!
Mike Tyson Net Worth
Mike Tyson net worth is estimated to be around $10 million as of 2022. Despite earning over $300 million during his boxing career, Tyson faced financial struggles, including bankruptcy in 2003. However, he has rebuilt his wealth through various business ventures, including acting roles, endorsements, and a successful cannabis business. Tyson’s net worth is expected to grow in the coming years as he remains an influential figure in sports and entertainment.
Early life
Michael Gerard Tyson was born in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York City, into a Catholic family on June 30, 1966. His family life was complicated, with his mother, Lorna Mae Tyson, struggling with addiction and possibly working as a prostitute. Tyson’s biological father, Purcell Tyson, was a humble cab driver from Jamaica, but the man Tyson knew as his father was a pimp named Jimmy Kirkpatrick.
Despite his challenges growing up, Mike Tyson found solace in boxing, and his raw talent was quickly recognized. But his childhood was far from easy; living in neighborhoods with high crime rates, Tyson was often in trouble with the law. In fact, by the age of 13, he had been arrested 38 times! However, his experience at the Tryon School for Boys in Johnstown, New York, ultimately changed his life.
There, Tyson’s incredible boxing ability was discovered by Bobby Stewart, a juvenile detention center counselor and former boxer. Stewart saw the potential in Tyson and trained him for a few months before introducing him to Cus D’Amato, a boxing manager and trainer who would become his legal guardian after Tyson’s mother passed away.
Mike Tyson Career
In his early days as an amateur boxer, Mike Tyson won gold medals at the Junior Olympic Games in 1981 and 1982, showcasing his natural talent and determination in the ring. In his first victory, he defeated Joe Cortez, and in the second, he beat Kelton Brown, with Brown’s corner ultimately throwing in the towel during the first round.
But Tyson’s success didn’t stop there. In 1984, he won the gold medal at the Nation Golden Gloves held in New York, taking down his opponent Jonathan Littles. These early victories paved the way for Tyson’s professional career, where he would become a boxing legend and one of the greatest of all time.
Rise to fame
Tyson’s incredible work ethic and dedication to his craft saw him fighting an impressive 15 bouts in his first year as a pro, winning an astounding 26 of his first 28 fights by KO or TKO. And with 16 of those coming in the first round, it’s no wonder that people began to sit up and take notice. His first nationally televised bout against Jesse Ferguson in 1986 was a historic moment, with Tyson knocking down Ferguson with an uppercut in the fifth round that broke his nose.
Tyson was given his first title fight against Trevor Berbick for the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight championship in November 1986. Tyson won the title by TKO in the second round, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history at just 20 years and four months old. He then added the WBA and IBF titles to his collection after defeating James Smith and Tony Tucker in 1987.
Tyson was a force to be reckoned with in the ring, intimidating fighters with his strength and lightning-fast hand speed. In 1988, Tyson continued to dominate, facing off against legendary former champion Larry Holmes and defeating him with a KO in the fourth round. And in June of that year, Tyson faced off against Michael Spinks in the richest fight in history. The world was expecting a titanic battle of styles, but Tyson knocked out Spinks in just 91 seconds, cementing his place as one of the greatest boxers ever.
Eventual loss
On February 11, 1990, Tyson faced off against Buster Douglas in Tokyo, Japan, in what was supposed to be an easy win for the champ. However, things could have gone better. Although Tyson managed to knock Douglas down in the eighth round, Douglas came back fighting stronger and handed Tyson a brutal beating in the next two rounds. Then, just 35 seconds into the tenth round, Douglas landed a vicious uppercut followed by a four-punch combo of hooks that knocked Tyson down for the first time in his career. Unfortunately, Tyson could not recover, and the referee counted him out.
Comeback
After being paroled from prison, Tyson returned to the ring with an impressive win against Peter McNeeley and Buster Mathis Jr. He was back and better than ever! He reclaimed his WBC title after knocking out Frank Bruno in three rounds.
But his match against Evander Holyfield in 1996 was one for the books. In a surprising turn of events, Holyfield considered the underdog, knocked out Tyson in the eleventh round. They faced each other again in 1997, but Tyson’s actions in the ring caused controversy when he bit Holyfield’s ears and was disqualified.
During his time away from boxing in 1998, Tyson made a special appearance in WrestleMania XIV as an enforcer for the main event match between Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin. He was also paid a whopping $3 million for it.
Personal life
The former heavyweight champion of the world has been married three times and has seven children. Sadly, one of his children has passed away. His first marriage was to actress Robin Givens, but it was short-lived. They were only married for a year, from February 1988 to February 1989.
His second marriage was to Monica Turner, and they were married for six years, from 1997 to 2003. Together they had two children, a son named Amir and a non-binary child named Ramsey. In 2009, Tyson tied the knot for the third time with his longtime girlfriend, Lakiha “Kiki” Spicer. They had a private ceremony at the La Bella Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. They have two children together, a daughter named Milan and a son named Morocco.
Controversies
Tyson has had a tumultuous personal life, with his marriage to actress Robin Givens being particularly rocky. There were allegations of violence and mental instability on Tyson’s part. He also parted ways with his manager and longtime trainer in the late 80s.
In 1991, Tyson was arrested for the rape of 18-year-old Desiree Washington, which led to a high-profile trial. And who could forget the infamous biting incident in 1997 during a fight with Holyfield?
In 1999, Tyson was sentenced to a year’s imprisonment, fined $5,000, and ordered to serve two years probation and undergo 200 hours of community service for assaulting two motorists after a traffic accident. Finally, after years of financial struggles, Tyson filed for bankruptcy in August 2003.
There was an incident on a JetBlue flight in April 2022. A male passenger was harassing Tyson and even threw water on him, which caused Tyson to react by repeatedly punching the man. While he didn’t face criminal charges, it caused a stir!
Awards
Tyson was named Ring magazine Prospect of the Year in 1985 and became a 2-time Ring magazine Fighter of the Year in 1986 and 1988. He also won the Sugar Ray Robinson Award in 1987 and 1989. Tyson was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters by the Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in 1989.
In 1989, Tyson was awarded the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality award. He also received the “Guirlande d’Honneur” from the FICTS in Milan in 2010. And in 2011, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. And in 2012, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. In 2021, Tyson was part of The Inner Circle, which won the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Faction of the Year award.
Conclusion
Mike Tyson is a well-known former professional boxer and celebrity with a controversial past. Despite his legal and personal troubles, he has had a successful career in boxing, entertainment, and endorsements and has amassed a significant net worth. Tyson’s achievements in the ring and entertainment have also earned him numerous accolades and awards over time.
