Former World Heavyweight Champion Mike Tyson's life is filled with stories of triumph and tragedy. He has shared some of these stories in a one-man show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and in an interview with ESPN's Rick Reilly.
According to Reilly, Tyson revealed that he had impregnated a prison counselor while serving time. He also discussed his past struggles with morphine and other drugs.
Tyson, who will return to the ring in November, has spoken about his life behind bars. He was jailed in 1992 after being convicted of rape in Indiana and was released in 1995 after serving less than three years of his sentence.
Mike Tyson in 2019
Life Behind Bars: Tyson's Revelation
"I think it was the worst thing that can happen to a human being," the 54-year-old declared in an episode of 'Hotboxin' With Mike Tyson' with host Jim Gray, adding that he felt safe inside the prison.
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He explained about the sexual relationship he had in prison with a woman who worked there. "I had a boyfriend, and I got a woman pregnant in prison. I was living a life in prison. That's how it was written. I was Mike Tyson, and everyone gave me what I wanted."
"Everyone talked to me as if I was a strong man or a well-liked person. In fact, I was just a pig," added Tyson.
The Interview: Undisputed Truth
Mike Tyson's Prison Stories Will Blow Your Mind (Last one will shock you)
In an interview, Tyson was asked about his show in Las Vegas, "Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth."
When asked what undisputed truths are we going to learn that we don't already know?, Tyson responded: "You're going to have to come to the show to find out."
He hinted that the pregnancy was terminated, saying: "She had no baby."
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When pressed for details Tyson said: "What I said was that I got one of the counselors pregnant. There's a big difference."
He also said he left out how he came to have a tattoo on his face, or how went from $300 million to bankruptcy, or his morphine addiction.
Addiction and Recovery
Tyson also discussed his past struggles with drug use. "I just liked morphine," he told ESPN's Rick Reilly, "but I had to take a lot of it because it didn't stay in your system for a long time.... And I'd have my cocaine, and I had my marijuana, and I had my Cialis and Viagra and my little friends all sitting there."
In 2005, you said: "My whole life has been a waste and I've been a failure." Do you still feel that way?
Periodically.
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You've been off drugs and alcohol for a while now. How long exactly?
Three-and-a-half years years. And I've been a vegan for three. I'm just trying to be normal. I'm not doing these shows to be a star. I'm not expecting to get rich or anything. I'm doing them because they feel like a good thing to do.
Tyson's Comeback
Few people on this Earth have experienced the highs and lows that Tyson has. He went from being the hottest thing in boxing at 37-0 and a millionaire 300 times over, to losing to Buster Douglas, biting Evander Holyfield's ear, serving prison time, and pretty much losing all of his assets.
Not only has he appeared to turn his life around in terms of kicking his drug habits, but he is once again in the public eye and has developed a new role as a comedic icon of sorts.
Not only does he have his Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth show, but he has made cameos in The Hangover movies, done some work for FunnyOrDie.com, and engaged in several other projects as well. He was even inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame a few weeks ago for his role in the match between "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XIV in 1998.
Much of this is because Tyson is attempting to regain some of the considerable fortune he squandered, but all of his side jobs seem to have been keeping him busy and out of trouble.
While it's tough not to look negatively upon Tyson when he reveals some of his past escapades, you have to respect him for being so candid and forthcoming. Most people in Tyson's position would likely be inclined to cover up their past, but you would have to think that Tyson talking about his failures is therapeutic for him in a way.
Tyson has never been shy about revealing nuggets from his past, so it should come as no surprise that he continues to do so even as he attempts to repair his image.
Tyson is never going to be able to undo all the wrongs he committed in the past, but becoming a valuable member of society is a good way to make people forgive and forget.