### The Untold Stories of Mike Tyson: Beyond the Ring

Life is about loss. As time goes on, we lose fights, people we love, our hair, and eventually, our lives. These are just a few of the things people use to describe the ferocious, vicious Mike Tyson.

But did you know that Mike once saved a woman from a gunman? Yes, you heard it right—Mike Tyson saved a woman from a gunman. This is just one of the many things you probably didn’t know about Mike Tyson. Today, we will dive into who Mike Tyson really is, both in and out of the boxing ring.

**Early Life and Rise to Stardom**

Michael Gerard Tyson was born in Brooklyn, New York, where he lived the street life and committed numerous petty crimes, being arrested about 38 times when he was only 13.

He was sent to a boys club in Johnston, New York, where he developed his boxing skills and was discovered by a man named Bobby Stewart. Stewart introduced him to manager and trainer Cus D’Amato, who cultivated Tyson’s boxing skills and became a father figure to him.

Tyson looked up to Muhammad Ali, who became his role model as he pursued his boxing career. In 1989, Tyson got a chance to join Ali in an interview on the Arsenio Hall Show.

Ali, when asked who would have won if he had fought Tyson in his prime, humbly acknowledged Tyson’s power, saying, “He hit me.” This high praise from the legend himself marked Tyson’s ascent in the boxing world.

**The Apex of Tyson’s Career**

Mike Tyson became the undisputed heavyweight champion over the years, once becoming the richest athlete, even surpassing Michael Jordan in 1990.

Despite his substantial career, his misbehavior inside and outside the ring, including the infamous biting incident versus Evander Holyfield and a rape case in 1992, caused his reputation to plummet. Tyson retired in 2005, holding a 50-6 record with a monstrous 44 KOs.

**Surprising Stories and Encounters**

After Tyson retired, various stories about him surfaced, many of which are unbelievable. In 2016, American rapper Fat Joe shared in an interview on ESPN SportsCenter how Mike Tyson, fresh out of jail, saved him and his co-rapper Big Pun from getting beaten up by club bouncers. Tyson started chasing the bouncer around the car, displaying his protective nature.

Another hilarious story came from comedian-actor Jamie Foxx in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres in 2015. Foxx was in a club, about to tell a Mike Tyson joke, when Tyson himself was in the audience. Foxx humorously recounted how Tyson encouraged him to tell the joke, adding, “And it better be funny.”

**The Heroic Side of Tyson**

Beyond these humorous anecdotes, Tyson has also displayed acts of heroism. American actress Rosie Perez tells an unbelievable story about how Tyson saved her from a gunman. Tyson confronted the gunman and defused the situation with his sheer presence.

Not only is Tyson brave, but he is also incredibly generous. He once gave away a Rolls-Royce, a car worth millions, to avoid getting arrested because he didn’t have a license and didn’t want his wife to get in trouble.

**A Gentle Giant**

Iron Mike received high praise from other boxing legends and personalities as he continued to remain humble out of the spotlight. Legendary coach Freddie Roach, who trained Tyson back in the day, described how hard Tyson trained, calling him a really hard puncher and a strong fighter.

One of Tyson’s most famous fans and advocates is UFC commentator, analyst, and podcast host Joe Rogan. Rogan praised Tyson’s shape and fighting skills even at the age of 53, calling him “really terrifying.” When Tyson came out of retirement and fought Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, Rogan remarked on his podcast that despite Tyson’s bad reputation over the years and the controversies he faced, Tyson has humbled himself significantly.

In a podcast with Kevin Hart, they discussed how Tyson didn’t want to stoke his ego or work out because it riled him up. Tyson revealed that he hated seeing his younger self and regretted many of his behaviors along the way. His current wife, Lakiha Spicer, has been instrumental in keeping him at peace, and Tyson has thanked her for her support for him and their kids.

**Mike Tyson Today**

Today, Mike Tyson is a different man from the one we initially perceived. He is a normal husband and father who lives his life at its very best as a gentleman and a family man.

Tyson is now very different from his wild, uncontrollable prime and regrets many of his past behaviors. He has found peace and humility, focusing on his family and personal growth.

In closing, Tyson once said, “If they don’t, the gift won’t work. The gift only works when you put in that spirit of fighting to will the win.” This is Iron Mike Tyson—a man who has evolved from a ferocious boxer to a humble, reflective individual. He wants to be remembered not just for his boxing prowess, but for his spirit and the lessons he has learned along the way.