Mike Tyson, the legendary boxer, was once the proud owner of three pet tigers at the peak of his career. During his illustrious career, ‘Iron Mike’ accumulated a fortune, facing opponents like Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis after defeating Trevor Berbick to become the youngest heavyweight champion ever.
Tyson seemingly had everything he ever dreamed of, including exotic animals that are normally out of reach for most people, regardless of their wealth.
Acquisition of the Tigers
The story of how Tyson acquired his tigers is quite unique. During an appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, Tyson explained that he was in prison when he first considered getting a tiger.
He was talking to his car dealer, who mentioned he could acquire various animals, including cougars, lions, and tigers. Tyson, intrigued by the idea, asked the dealer to get him some tiger cubs.
In December 2022, Mike Tyson explained that he got three tigers from the ‘black market’ before revealing how much he paid for each one.
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“This guy was selling them and said, ‘I can get you a full-grown one for $70,000 or I can get a small one for like $50,000,” the heavyweight legend explained on his Hotboxin’ Podcast
“So, I got the baby. I get the baby, we feed the baby with a bottle, and then eventually she’s 400lbs.
“And then you figure out, how do I get rid of this motherf-er?”
Life with Tigers
Tyson kept three tigers in his home, with one of them staying on his property for 16 years.
“One minute, he will try and take a chunk out of you, and then the next minute, he will try and lick you,” Tyson told Inside Edition in 1996.
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Tyson told the hosts he didn’t know what was going through his mind in hindsight, as he thought he was going to get horses.
Mike Tyson Talks About Tigers
The Incident and Departure
However, Tyson’s last remaining tiger hurt somebody, and it resulted in him forking out $250,000.
Tyson explained the story of why he had to eventually get rid of the tiger he kept for 16 years.
During a prior interview with GQ, Tyson claimed that a health condition led to him giving up his last Tiger, but then he nonchalantly mentioned that it had also ‘ripped somebody’s arm off’.
He said: “I had to get rid of her when her eyes and her head got bad.
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“Oh, and she ripped somebody’s arm off.”
Tyson put to bed a rumor about the tiger escaping and attacking a neighbor, as he revealed that someone trespassing on his property was badly hurt after trying to ‘play’ with the animal.
“No, that’s not what happened,” he clarified in another interview with rap icon Fat Joe. “Somebody jumped over my fence where the tiger was and jumped in their habitat and started playing with the tiger.
“And the tiger didn’t know the lady, so it was a bad accident. She jumped in the property where the tiger was at. They tried to [sue me] until they found out she jumped over the fence, and she trespassed the tiger.
“And listen, when I saw what the tiger did to her hand, I had a lot of money back then, so I gave her $250,000 or whatever it was. Because she was just f-ed up.”
The incident led to Tyson eventually giving up his last tiger.
Mike Tyson's Return to Boxing
Mike Tyson retired from boxing after suffering a stoppage loss against Kevin McBride in 2005.
19 years later, he shocked the world by revealing he would be making a sensational return to the ring against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in November 2024.
Tyson went the eight-round distance but suffered a lopsided decision defeat in his comeback fight.
A second retirement seemed certain after his loss to Paul, but now Tyson is set to fight on in 2026.
An exhibition bout with former five-weight world champion Floyd Mayweather is signed for next year.
Details about exactly when and where Tyson will fight Mayweather are yet to be released.