Mike Tyson, known as the ‘baddest man on the planet’ for his merciless ring persona, is a striking contrast outside the ropes. Beneath the ferocious exterior lies a surprisingly affable man whose life story blends intimidating power with unexpected warmth.
Tyson, 57, is speaking to Mail Sport at a dimly-lit boxing gym just north of the Las Vegas strip where he is helping train the Cameroonian-French heavyweight Francis Ngannou ahead of his fight with Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia later this month.
Tyson’s journey has been colourful to say the least. He has been married three times, had seven children with three women.
His mother died when he was a teenager, he bit into the ear of his opponent Evander Holyfield in 1997 and went to prison in his 20’s.
‘My whole life has been a waste – I’ve been a failure,’ he told USA Today in 2005. ‘I just want to escape. I’m really embarrassed with myself and my life.’ But he appears to have found peace now.
When Tyson arrived at the gym for our interview, his larger-than-life aura and legendary status filled the room – creating a sensation of awe and reverence around the gym.
But, his warm smile and hearty hello to Mail Sport offered a glimpse into the 57-year-old’s amiable personality. He stuck out his hand to greet me and joked about his worst hangover after I asked about his part in the film of that name.
‘It’s not even healthy,’ he says with a soft laugh. ‘It’s not even allowed on tape! So let’s not talk about that!’
We took a seat on two metal chairs, with Tyson’s iconic stature spilling over the edge. Once settled, he began asking me about myself. His friendly banter and warm inquiries eased tensions, making our interaction feel like a casual conversation with a friend. It revealed his genuine desire to connect and create an inviting atmosphere.
Once the ice was broken, we chatted about boxing and how the pressure Ngannou will feel when he walks into the ring as a huge underdog to face Fury could be used to his advantage.
‘The most pressure I ever felt was the first time I fought for the title,’ he says in his soft New York accent.
‘It was against Trevor Berbick in 1986. There was a massive amount of pressure on me for that fight. But, then I realised this. Pressure is a privilege.
‘To have that pressure is a privilege. Not many people have that privilege in their life and they may live to be 90. So, I look at it as a privilege to be under that sort of pressure.