Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight champion, has a complicated history with the law. Known as ‘Iron Mike,’ Tyson spent several years in prison and still visits his friends who are incarcerated. Many of these friends are serving life sentences for serious crimes. Tyson formed strong bonds with fellow inmates during his time in various detention centers in New York. Remarkably, Tyson was arrested 38 times before he even turned 13.
Tyson shared his story on his podcast, Hotboxin. At 53 years old, he recounted the moment he started focusing on boxing. This pivotal moment occurred when he met Cus D’Amato at the Bridges Juvenile Center in the Bronx, Brooklyn. D’Amato introduced Tyson to the sport, changing the trajectory of his life. Tyson explained, “After I was locked up, I started boxing. And I said I wasn’t going to do that anymore.”
Despite his commitment to boxing, Tyson’s ties to his past life remained. He continued to associate with his old friends, many of whom turned to a life of crime. Tyson recalled, “But I would still see my friends that I robbed with and they would still be at the club. I was still hanging out with them, watching them do that s***. I was never into it – I was doing a career and they thought ‘what the f*** is he doing hanging out with them.’ We went in two different directions. They became killers and I became a boxer.”
Tyson expressed relief at not sharing their fate, stating, “I’m happy I’m not in prison with them but I still go and visit them. They’ve got four or five life sentences, 90 years. They’ve been the oldest friends I’ve ever had in my life, my longest friends.”
Tyson’s life took another dramatic turn after his surprising loss to James Buster Douglas. In 1991, he was sentenced to six years in prison for the rape of beauty queen Desiree Washington. He served three years before returning to the boxing ring. However, his return was marred by controversy when his boxing license was revoked in 1997 after he bit Evander Holyfield’s ear during their rematch.
In 1999, Tyson found himself back in jail, this time for the assault of two men. Despite these setbacks, Tyson’s legacy in boxing remains significant. His journey from a troubled youth to a world-renowned boxer is a testament to his resilience and determination. Tyson’s story is a reminder that even those with the most challenging beginnings can find a path to redemption and success, though the shadows of their past may still linger.
