Tyson got what he was looking for, and the couple has been happily married since then. Tyson even remarks on his marriage with « Kiki » that he would’ve committed suicide if she hadn’t come into his life.
As part of his cleaning-up campaign, he has been adhering to a strict vegan diet for nearly two years, explaining that he doesn’t want anything in him « that’s going to enrage me — no processed food, no meat. » He says that he can no longer abide the smell of meat even on someone’s breath and has dropped 150 pounds since he weighed in at 330 in 2009. « I’ve learned to live a boring life and love it, » he declares, sounding more determined than certain. « I let too much in, and look what happened. . . . I used to have a bunch of girls and some drugs on the table. A bunch of people running around doing whatever. »
Nassau said she remembers an « explosive » reaction to the trial from the Black community. It was also divided, with some people vocally siding with Tyson, believing the accusations were an attempt to negate his success.
Expectations for Tyson were extremely high, and he was the favorite to win the heavyweight unification series, a tournament designed to establish an undisputed heavyweight champion. Tyson defended his title against James Smith on March 7, 1987, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He won by unanimous decision and added Smith’s World Boxing Association (WBA) title to his existing belt. « Tyson-mania » in the media was becoming rampant.
And Tyson wasn’t finished, with boxing or with outrages. On October 19, 1998, the Nevada State Boxing Commission restored Tyson’s boxing license. In December of 1998, he pled no contest to a road rage incident and spent a short time in jail the following March. That year he also initiated a $100 million lawsuit against Don King after discovering that his $200 million career winnings had dwindled away, and that in fact he owed $13 million in back taxes. In the summer of 2000, after knocking down an opponent, Lou Savarese, he continued to pound the fighter and even lashed out at the referee. Incredibly, in the post-fight press conference, Tyson revived his cannibal image in remarks addressed to heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis , whom Tyson hoped to meet in the ring some day. « I want your heart. I want to eat your children, » Tyson declared, adding, « I will rip out his heart and feed it to him. »
Corbin-Miller is quick to point out that « the belief in Mike and vitriol directed at Desiree » wasn’t limited to Black people. Much of the general public took Tyson’s side. « But I believe it was the long, reprehensible history of Black men being falsely accused of rape in order to brutalize, incarcerate and murder them that influenced the majority of Black people to rally around Mike, » she says. « Mike was also one of a much smaller pool of A-list Black celebrities than we have today. To tear Mike Tyson off his heroic pedestal was, for many, a personal affront. Unfortunately, Desiree Washington, a Black woman, didn’t receive nearly as much unconditional public support. »
Retired professional boxer jamie foxx mike tyson movie release date Tyson became the youngest heavyweight champion of the world in 1986, at age 20. He lost the title in 1990 and later served three years in prison after being convicted on rape charges. Tyson subsequently earned further notoriety by biting off part of opponent Evander Holyfield’s ear during a 1997 match. Since retiring from boxing in 2005, Tyson has appeared in several movies and TV shows, become a best-selling author, and launched a successful cannabis business.
In July 1991, Tyson was accused of raping Desiree Washington, a Miss Black American contestant. On March 26, 1992, after nearly a year of trial proceedings, Tyson was found guilty on one count of rape and two counts of deviant sexual conduct. Because of Indiana state laws, Tyson was ordered to serve six years in prison, effective immediately.
« It is somewhat remarkable that they didn’t shy away from the rape or allow Tyson his version of events, » says Jessica Luther, an investigative journalist who has written extensively on the intersection of sports and gendered violence and is the author of Unsportsmanlike Conduct: College Football and the Politics of Rape. « ‘Mike’ is showing a very popular celebrity athlete as the villain in a real-life case. That does feel different and, I think, makes everything around that feel novel, but I’m still conflicted about . »
Mike Tyson’s HotBoxin’ podcast stores several such tales that give an insight into Tyson’s life. That said, US mountain climber, Joby Ogwyn, learned it emotionally. He couldn’t help himself from getting teary-eyed when Mike Tyson delivered his perception of life.
In July 1991, Tyson was accused of raping Desiree Washington, a Miss Black American contestant. On March 26, 1992, after nearly a year of trial proceedings, Tyson was found guilty on one count of rape and two counts of deviant sexual conduct. Because of Indiana state laws, Tyson was ordered to serve six years in prison, effective immediately.
