Mike Tyson

American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

Mike Tyson is one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He was the youngest boxer to win a heavyweight title, and he held multiple championship belts during his career. However, his life also included controversies, a prison sentence, and a famous ear-biting incident during a rematch with Evander Holyfield.

Table of Contents

About the Mike Tyson

Michael Gerard Tysonis an American professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005, and is scheduled to compete once again in 2024. Nicknamed “Iron Mike” and “Kid Dynamite” in his early career, and later known as “the Baddest Man on the Planet”, Tyson is regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He reigned as the undisputed world heavyweight champion from 1987 to 1990. Tyson won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round. Claiming his first belt at 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old, Tyson holds the record as the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight title. He was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC and IBF titles, as well as the only heavyweight to unify them in succession. The following year, Tyson became the lineal champion when he knocked out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds of the first round. In 1990, Tyson was knocked out by underdog Buster Douglas in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

In 1992, Tyson was convicted of rape and sentenced to six years in prison. He was released on parole after three years. After his release in 1995, he engaged in a series of comeback fights, regaining the WBA and WBC titles in 1996 to join Floyd Patterson, Muhammad Ali, Tim Witherspoon, Evander Holyfield and George Foreman as the only men in boxing history to have regained a heavyweight championship after losing it. After being stripped of the WBC title in the same year, Tyson lost the WBA title to Evander Holyfield by an eleventh round stoppage. Their 1997 rematch ended when Tyson was disqualified for biting Holyfield’s ears, one bite notoriously being strong enough to remove a portion of his right ear. In 2002, Tyson fought for the world heavyweight title, losing by knockout to Lennox Lewis.

Tyson was known for his ferocious and intimidating boxing style as well as his controversial behavior inside and outside the ring, which he explained was inspired by Sonny Liston, a boxer who is widely regarded as the most intimidating man in the history of boxing. With a knockout-to-win percentage of 88%, he was ranked 16th on The Ring magazine’s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time, and first on ESPN’s list of “The Hardest Hitters in Heavyweight History”. Sky Sports described him as “perhaps the most ferocious fighter to step into a professional ring”. He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mike Tyson was 20 years, 4 months, and 22 days old when he won his first heavyweight title, making him the youngest boxer ever to win a heavyweight championship.

In his early career, Mike Tyson was nicknamed ‘Iron Mike’ and ‘Kid Dynamite’.

Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional fights by knockout, 12 of them in the first round.

Mike Tyson was the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles, and the only heavyweight to unify them in succession. He also became the lineal champion in 1988 when he knocked out Michael Spinks in 91 seconds.

In 1990, Mike Tyson was knocked out by underdog Buster Douglas in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.

After being released from prison in 1995, Mike Tyson engaged in a series of comeback fights, regaining the WBA and WBC titles in 1996 to become one of the few men in boxing history to have regained a heavyweight championship after losing it.

During their 1997 rematch, the fight ended when Mike Tyson was disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield’s ears, with one bite being strong enough to remove a portion of his right ear.

65 Quotes by Mike Tyson

  1. 1.

    Another thing that freaks me out is time. Time is like a book. You have a beginning, a middle and an end. It’s just a cycle.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  2. 2.

    I don’t understand why people would want to get rid of pigeons. They don’t bother no one.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  3. 3.

    I don’t react to a tragic happening any more. I took so many bad things as a kid and some people think I don’t care about anything. It’s just too hard for me to get emotional. I can’t cry no more.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  4. 4.

    I think I’ll take a bath in his blood.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  5. 5.

    I think the average person thinks I’m a nut and I deserve whatever happens to me.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  6. 6.

    I just want to be humble at all times.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  7. 7.

    Quayle said the worst thing that happened to him was that he never trusted his own judgment. I said from now on I am going to go with my own judgment.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  8. 8.

    I’ve lived places these guys can’t defecate in.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  9. 9.

    I feel bad about my outlook, how I feel about people and society, and that I’ll never be part of society the way I should.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  10. 10.

    When I was in prison, I was wrapped up in all those deep books. That Tolstoy crap – people shouldn’t read that stuff.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  11. 11.

    You can’t stay married in a situation where you are afraid to go to sleep in case your wife might cut your throat.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  12. 12.

    One day some guy is going to get a billion-dollar fight.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  13. 13.

    When I fight someone, I want to break his will. I want to take his manhood. I want to rip out his heart and show it to him.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  14. 14.

    I did my time for the rape. I paid my money to Las Vegas. I paid my dues.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  15. 15.

    I’m not Mother Teresa, but I’m not Charles Manson, either.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  16. 16.

    I don’t try to intimidate anybody before a fight. That’s nonsense. I intimidate people by hitting them.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  17. 17.

    I know why they don’t like me because they want the money I have.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  18. 18.

    The drug dealers, they sympathize with me. They see me as some sort of pathetic character.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  19. 19.

    Everyone has a plan ’till they get punched in the mouth.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  20. 20.

    I can inspire people on how to use money, how to get economically powerful.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  21. 21.

    The only thing I do is just pray for inspiration, for a way of thinking, because I don’t have any particular goal in sight.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  22. 22.

    People are going to say what they say. I know sometimes I say things; I offend people.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  23. 23.

    As long as we persevere and endure, we can get anything we want.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  24. 24.

    I’m a Muslim, but I think Jesus would have a drink with me. He would be cool. He would talk to me.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  25. 25.

    I’m going to gut you like a fish.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  26. 26.

    If Jesus was here, do you think Jesus would show me any love? Do you think Jesus would love me?

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  27. 27.

    That’s what people respect, the fact that I wasn’t a chump that laid on his back and gave up.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  28. 28.

    I just want to conquer people and their souls.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  29. 29.

    You come home, and you party. But after that, you get a hangover. Everything about that is negative.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  30. 30.

    My biggest weakness is my sensitivity. I am too sensitive a person.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  31. 31.

    I know I’m going to blow one day. My life is doomed the way it is. I have no future.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  32. 32.

    I just want to do what I do best, and that’s fight. I love it.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  33. 33.

    God lets everything happen for a reason. It’s all a learning process, and you have to go from one level to another.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  34. 34.

    I’m not much for talking. You know what I do. I put guys in body bags when I’m right.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  35. 35.

    I’m just like you. I enjoy the forbidden fruits in life, too.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  36. 36.

    I love to hit people. I love to.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  37. 37.

    I intend to fight and I want to win. But my priorities are basically to be a good Brother and a strong one, and to try to be a good father one day.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  38. 38.

    Our money is bait money, and bait money is not to be used.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  39. 39.

    I’ll go back and take what the people owe me.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  40. 40.

    Real freedom is having nothing. I was freer when I didn’t have a cent.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  41. 41.

    I’m a nut case, but that is what I believe.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  42. 42.

    I feel like sometimes that I was not meant for this society.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  43. 43.

    When Jesus comes back, these crazy, greedy, capitalistic men are gonna kill him again.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  44. 44.

    Some people try to get you out of slavery for you to be their slave.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  45. 45.

    Mr. Arthur Ashe, he was good. I read some of his books. He knew about everything, but he was real quiet and didn’t talk much. I never met him.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  46. 46.

    I have the same malice in my heart as far as the fight game is concerned, but outside the ring, I won’t say anything a dignified man won’t say.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  47. 47.

    I just look around and say, I’m a mess. I don’t know why I do things.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  48. 48.

    It’s good to know how to read, but it’s dangerous to know how to read and not how to interpret what you’re reading.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  49. 49.

    I try to catch them right on the tip of his nose, because I try to punch the bone into the brain.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  50. 50.

    I’m the biggest fighter in the history of the sport. If you don’t believe it, check the cash register.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  51. 51.

    I could feel his muscle tissues collapse under my force. It’s ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  52. 52.

    Sometimes I put on a ski mask and dress in old clothes, go out on the streets and beg for quarters.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  53. 53.

    I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  54. 54.

    I ain’t the same person I was when I bit that guy’s ear off.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  55. 55.

    Every time there’s a revolution, it comes from somebody reading a book about revolution. David Walker wrote a book and Nat Turner did his thing.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  56. 56.

    Everybody’s got plans… until they get hit.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  57. 57.

    I’m a historian, and that freaks me out.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  58. 58.

    I want to rip out his heart and feed it to Lennox Lewis. I want to kill people. I want to rip their stomachs out and eat their children.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  59. 59.

    That equals to being a fool, having fame and no fortune. A lot of guys out there have fame doing this and doing that, but they are broke.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  60. 60.

    I was hoping he would get up so I could hit him again and keep him down.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  61. 61.

    I’m a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  62. 62.

    Anyone with a grain of sense would know that if I punched my wife I would rip her head off. It’s all lies. I have never laid a finger on her.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  63. 63.

    I’m just happy I’m not a phony.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  64. 64.

    When you see me smash somebody’s skull, you enjoy it.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)

  65. 65.

    I’m in trouble because I’m normal and slightly arrogant. A lot of people don’t like themselves and I happen to be totally in love with myself.

    Mike Tyson

    American boxer and media personality (born 1966)