The Crazy Past of Mike Tyson: How Much Do You Know?

Mike Tyson, one of the greatest boxers of all time, is known not only for his unparalleled talent in the ring but also for his bizarre escapades outside of it. As he prepares to face YouTuber Jake Paul, who is 30 years younger than him, on November 15, let’s revisit some of the most outrageous moments from the life of Iron Mike.

1. Drinking Acid at 11 Years Old (1977)

Growing up in the dangerous streets of Brownsville, Brooklyn, Tyson’s childhood was marred by crime and substance abuse. By the age of 11, he was experimenting with drugs, including acid.

“I started using drugs when I was just nine or ten years old,” Tyson revealed on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

2. Fighting Trevor Berbick While Treating an STI (1986)

On November 20, 1986, Tyson made history by defeating Trevor Berbick via technical knockout in the second round, becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in WBC history at just 20 years old. However, he later disclosed that he was battling gonorrhea at the time.

“I wasn’t at my healthiest, but I didn’t care. I still got in the ring and beat Berbick,” Tyson wrote in his 2013 autobiography.

3. Offering to Fight a Gorilla (1989)

During a private trip to the New York Zoo with his then-wife Robin Givens, Tyson offered a zookeeper $10,000 to let him fight a silverback gorilla.

“There was this big gorilla bullying the others, and I wanted to break its nose,” Tyson recounted.

4. Impregnating a Prison Guard (1992-1995)

While serving a nearly three-year prison sentence for rape, Tyson started a relationship with a female prison guard, whom he claimed to have impregnated.

“I was Mike Tyson, and people gave me whatever I wanted. I enjoyed my life in prison,” he said on his podcast.

5. Biting Evander Holyfield’s Ear (1997)

In one of the most infamous incidents in boxing history, Tyson bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield’s ear during their rematch at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Despite the injury, the referee allowed the fight to continue before eventually disqualifying Tyson.

“It was a moment where I completely lost control,” Tyson admitted years later.

6. Boxing While High on Drugs (2000)

Before his match against Lou Savarese, Tyson used cocaine and marijuana. Despite being under the influence, he won the fight in the first round.

“I’ve fought high on drugs before,” Tyson confessed in his autobiography.

7. Using a Fake Penis to Pass Drug Tests (2000)

To avoid detection during drug tests, Tyson used a device called the whizzinator, a fake penis filled with clean urine.

8. Brawling at a Press Conference with Lennox Lewis (2002)

A pre-fight press conference with Lennox Lewis in New York turned chaotic when Tyson punched one of Lewis’ bodyguards, sparking a brawl. Tyson later lost the fight via an eighth-round knockout.

The Upcoming Fight with Jake Paul (2024)

Now 58 years old, Tyson is set to face Jake Paul, a 27-year-old YouTuber, in a match that will feature the largest age gap in professional boxing history.

Mike Tyson is not just a boxing legend but also a man whose life has been filled with jaw-dropping, unbelievable stories that continue to captivate fans worldwide.