50 Fun Facts About Mike Tyson

In which New York City borough was Tyson born in 1966?

He was born at Cumberland Hospital in Fort Greene and later grew up in Brownsville.

Alongside 'Iron Mike', what was Tyson's other early-career nickname?

Later in his career he was billed as 'the Baddest Man on the Planet'.

At what age did Tyson become the youngest heavyweight champion in history?

He won the WBC belt at 20 years and 4 months.

Whom did Tyson beat in November 1986 for his first world title?

The second-round TKO made him WBC champion; the WBA and IBF belts followed in 1987.

How many seconds did Tyson need to knock out Michael Spinks in 1988?

Many consider that first-round finish the peak of his fame and ability.

In which city did Tyson lose his undisputed title to Buster Douglas in 1990?

The bout at the Tokyo Dome is widely called the biggest upset in boxing history.

What odds did the Mirage casino give against Douglas beating Tyson?

The Mirage was the only casino that even bothered to post a line on the fight.

Which referee counted Tyson out in the tenth round against Douglas?

Tyson's camp complained that Douglas had been given a slow count after going down in the eighth.

Which trainer became Tyson's legal guardian after his mother died?

He died in November 1985, only months into Tyson's professional career.

Which counselor at the Tryon School for Boys first spotted Tyson's boxing ability?

Stewart noticed the teenager could bench press more than his own weight.

What was the name of the high-guard defensive style Tyson learned from his mentor?

Gloves held close to the cheeks let him slip and weave under punches while pressing forward.

Which longtime trainer did Tyson fire in late 1988?

Critics said Tyson showed less head movement and combination punching after the split.

Which assistant trainer was dismissed from Tyson's camp when the fighter was 15?

Atlas went on to become a celebrated trainer and broadcaster in his own right.

In which year was Tyson disqualified for biting Evander Holyfield's ears?

It was the first heavyweight title fight in over 50 years to end in a disqualification.

Who refereed the Holyfield rematch and deducted two points before the disqualification?

Halpern had been scheduled but stepped aside after Tyson's camp protested.

What was the Holyfield rematch billed as?

The first bout had been dubbed 'Finally'.

In which city did Tyson lose his 2002 title challenge to Lennox Lewis?

Nevada refused him a licence, so the fight landed at the Pyramid Arena in Tennessee.

Tyson's 2000 win over Lou Savarese in Glasgow lasted how many seconds?

He kept punching after the stoppage and knocked the referee to the floor.

Who was the opponent in Tyson's final professional victory, in 2003?

It took 49 seconds, amid rumours he had skipped training to party and get a new face tattoo.

In which city did Danny Williams knock Tyson out in 2004?

Tyson's manager claimed he had torn a knee ligament in the first round.

Against which journeyman did Tyson quit on his stool before round seven in 2005?

He later admitted he took the fight for a payday and did not expect to win.

Which platform streamed the Jake Paul fight in November 2024?

Some 65 million concurrent viewers made it the most-streamed sporting event ever at the time.

At which venue did Tyson fight Jake Paul?

The Arlington, Texas bout became the biggest boxing gate in US history outside Las Vegas.

What medical problem postponed the Jake Paul fight from July to November 2024?

It struck aboard a plane in May, and the bout was pushed back on his doctor's advice.

Tyson's 2020 exhibition ended in a split draw against which former champion?

It was the first event of his Legends Only League and the best-selling pay-per-view of 2020.

Who replaced Tyson as the final boss of the NES Punch-Out!! after the licence expired?

The original 1987 game sold more than a million copies with Tyson's name on the box.

Which Nintendo of America president suggested putting Tyson in Punch-Out!!?

He was impressed by the fighter's 'power and skill' after watching one of his bouts.

Which actress did Tyson marry in February 1988?

The marriage unravelled within a year amid allegations of abuse.

Tyson's first wife was known for which sitcom at the time of their marriage?

Their joint 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters in 1988 became notorious.

Tyson's second wife, Monica Turner, is the sister of which politician?

Steele later chaired the Republican National Committee.

Tyson appeared as himself in which 2006 Sylvester Stallone film?

Three years later he stole scenes in The Hangover.

What is the title of Tyson's 2013 autobiography?

It reached the New York Times bestseller list and doubled as the name of his one-man show.

Which director brought Tyson's one-man show to Broadway in 2012?

The show later toured 36 cities and aired on HBO.

Tyson's Adult Swim cartoon solved mysteries in the style of which classic show?

Mike Tyson Mysteries premiered in October 2014 with Tyson voicing himself.

What is the name of Tyson's podcast?

The title nods to his second career as a cannabis entrepreneur.

Tyson's first street fight was over a bigger boy who killed one of his what?

He has kept the birds ever since and took up pigeon racing in retirement.

At WrestleMania XIV, Tyson was enforcer for a match between Steve Austin and whom?

He was paid $3 million for the night while his boxing licence was suspended.

Which wrestling faction counted Tyson as an unofficial member in 1998?

The stable was led by the same wrestler he ultimately helped beat at WrestleMania XIV.

Besides 1986, in which year was Tyson The Ring's Fighter of the Year?

That year he beat Tony Tubbs and Michael Spinks.

Tyson left prison with tattoos of Mao Zedong and which tennis player?

He dates his Che Guevara tattoo to the same period.

Tyson knocked Marvis Frazier unconscious how many seconds into their 1986 fight?

Two consecutive uppercuts did it on an ABC Sports broadcast from Glens Falls.

Which former champion suffered his only knockout loss in 75 bouts against Tyson in 1988?

Tyson stopped him in the fourth round in January 1988.

In which city did Tyson make his professional debut in March 1985?

He beat Hector Mercedes by first-round TKO and fought 15 times in his first year.

Which 1984 Olympic gold medallist beat Tyson twice as an amateur?

Tyson avenged the losses with a first-round knockout in 1990.

To which religion did Tyson convert before entering prison?

He was raised Catholic and baptised a Baptist in 1988 before converting.

Which heavyweight did Tyson say inspired his intimidating style?

After the Savarese fight he declared 'I'm Sonny Liston. I'm Jack Dempsey... I'm cut from their cloth.'

Who was Tyson's opponent in his first comeback fight after prison in 1995?

The 89-second fight set pay-per-view records despite criticism over 'tomato can' opponents.

Which referee controversially stopped the first Ruddock fight in 1991?

The stoppage sparked a melee and the referee had to be escorted from the ring.

Who played Tyson in the 1995 film about his life?

The Uli Edel film runs from his mentor's death to his rape conviction.

Tyson's white pit bull in 1990 was named after which boxing idol?

Buster Douglas, by contrast, had a beagle named Shakespeare.