There was a time when the name “Mike Tyson” was everywhere. The boxer was knocking out opponents in the ring left and right while simultaneously making headlines with his outlandish behavior. To understand how far Tyson has come, it's necessary to understand where he's been.
For those who want to know more about Tyson's place in the annals of boxing, well, taking stock of his life and career is essential, and vice versa. And, as is often the case, movies and documentaries about Tyson are a great way to get to know him. Put another way, before you face off against Tyson, you should climb in the ring with these film and TV projects about him first.
If you have read any of my previous entries, it should be clear by now that I strongly believe in learning from the great fighters and trainers who came before us. When it comes to boxing, there is no school like the old school. So much can be learned by simply listening and observing to those who thrived during boxing’s prime years.
When it comes to old school boxing wisdom, Cus D’Amato was certainly a top scholar. And while it is unfortunate that he passed away many years ago, at least some of his wisdom has been archived through films such as that above.
Lastly, as the weeks and months pass, I will continue to update this site with classic documentaries so that they can be easily found and referenced whenever needed.
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Alongside his boxing fame, Tyson became well-known for his marriage to actress Robin Givens, his arrest and conviction for rape, and, of course, for literally taking a bite out of Evander Holyfield in 1997. Since Tyson left professional boxing, he took up acting and has remained in the limelight for any number of reasons, including his cannabis brand.
Featured Documentaries
Watch Me Now Documentary
Boxing aficionados who have not seen the full documentary will likely recognize some of the footage. For instance, the short video below is one of the more popular Mike Tyson clips. Many have seen this brief display of his hand speed as a young teen. The short segment was taken from the Watch Me Now documentary.
I recently discussed some of Cus D’Amato’s work with Mike Tyson (see here). If you scroll to approximately the 20:30 mark in the movie, you will see Teddy Atlas working with Tyson inside the ring.
Mike Tyson Shadowboxing / Speed of Mike Tyson 2
Tyson (2008)
Tyson is acclaimed indie director James Toback's stylistically inventive portrait of a mesmerizing Mike Tyson. Toback allows Tyson to reveal himself without inhibition and with eloquence and a pervasive vulnerability. Through a mixture of original interviews and archival footage and photographs, a startlingly complex, fully-rounded human being emerges.
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The film ranges from Tyson's earliest memories of growing up on the mean streets of Brooklyn through his entry into the world of boxing, to his rollercoaster ride in the funhouse of worldwide fame and fortunes won and lost. It is the story of a legendary and uniquely controversial international athletic icon, a figure conjuring radical questions of race and class.
In its depiction of a man rising from the most debased circumstances to unlimited heights, destroyed by his own hubris, Tyson emerges as a modern day version of classic Greek tragedy.
Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth (2013)
Oh no! Former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and legendary filmmaker Spike Lee bring Tyson's one-man hit stage show to HBO in this special.
- Starring: Mike Tyson
- Directors: Spike Lee
- Writers: Kiki Tyson
- Producers: Spike Lee, Mike Tyson, Kiki Tyson, Jon Kilik, James L.
Below is a table summarizing the key documentaries and films discussed in this article:
| Title | Year | Description | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watch Me Now Documentary | N/A | Features young Mike Tyson and his training with Teddy Atlas. | N/A |
| Tyson | 2008 | A portrait of Mike Tyson through interviews and archival footage. | James Toback |
| Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth | 2013 | Mike Tyson's one-man stage show brought to HBO. | Spike Lee |
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