Mike Tyson’s most distinctive tattoo is the tribal-inspired design that covers the left side of his face. While its specific symbolism remains a private matter, tribal tattoos often signify aspects like strength, honor, and identity.
The Mike Tyson tattoo has inspired countless fans to create their own tattoos, honoring their idol and the impact he has had on their lives. Tyson’s influence extends far beyond the ring, from boxing fans to tattoo aficionados.
The decision to get the face tattoo would be emblematic of this ultimately troubled period of Tyson’s life, and reflect on his future choices. In the years since Tyson retired, he’s more or less rehabilitated his public image as a troubled brute by being open in interviews, with self-deprecating humor, and getting involved in some cheesy B-movies, such as 2017’s legendarily cringetastic China Salesmen (prepare to facepalm your way through the fight with Stephen Seagal, viewable on YouTube). Tyson has started his own weed empire, Tyson Holistic, which, according to the Sun, earns more than $675,000 a month. Tyson himself reportedly cuts into his profit margins quite a bit by consuming (with his friends) $40,000’s worth every month at his Tyson Ranch in Mojave Desert, as Marketwatch says. He’s also talked about building a cannabis-themed resort.
In March 2009, 4-year-old Exodus tragically died after accidentally strangling herself on a treadmill cord at her mother’s home in Phoenix. Tyson spoke about the incident later that year in a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey. “My first instinct was a lot of rage, and I am so happy I had the tools in life not to go in that direction,” he said. “There was no animosity. There was no anger towards anybody. I don’t know how she died, and I don’t want to know.”
In 2000, Tyson had three fights. The first match in January was staged at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England against Julius Francis. Following controversy as to whether Tyson was allowed into the country, he took four minutes to knock out Francis, ending the bout in the second round. He also fought Lou Savarese in June 2000 in Glasgow, winning in the first round; the fight lasted only 38 seconds. Tyson continued punching after the referee had stopped the fight, knocking the referee to the floor as he tried to separate the boxers. It was after this fight that Tyson called out Lennox Lewis with his post fight speech proclaiming that he was the “best ever” and he was “Sonny Listion and Jack Dempsey, cut from their cloth.” In October, Tyson fought the similarly controversial Andrew Golota, winning in round three after Gołota was unable to continue due to a broken cheekbone, concussion, and neck injury. The result was later changed to no contest after Tyson refused to take a pre-fight drug test and then tested positive for marijuana in a post-fight urine test. Tyson fought only once in 2001, beating Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen by TKO in the seventh round.
Meanwhile, he also added a twist to his face tattoo and was seen enjoying it during new Year’s eve. Tyson has been donning his iconic face tattoo since 2003. He inked it before his fight against Clifford Etienne.
I was excited on the ride back to Tryon. I was sitting with a bunch of Cus’s roses in my lap. I had never seen roses in person before, only on television, but I wanted some because they looked so exquisite. I wanted to have something nice to take back with me, so I asked him if I could take some. Between the smell of the roses and Cus’s words ringing in my ears, I felt good, like my whole world had changed. In that one moment, I knew I was going to be somebody.
It was in the lead-up to the bout that ‘Iron’ Mike decided to get his now signature Māori warrior tattoo. Reportedly done by celebrated tattoo artist S. Victor Whitmill from Las Vegas, the story goes that Tyson originally wanted hearts on his face. However, Whitmill refused to go with the concept. Given that he has himself led the life of a warrior, the former heavyweight champion liked it when Whitmill introduced the Māori ‘tā moko’, a permanent ink decking the faces of Māori tribesmen from New Zealand.
LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 23: Zhilei Zhang punches Joe Joyce during the WBO Interim World … Heavyweight Title fight between Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce at OVO Arena Wembley on September 23, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Hrgović’s defeat ended Zhilei’s 24-fight win streak. He is yet to make his total title win or any related achievements, mostly due to his late start in professional boxing. Nevertheless, Zhilei is renowned for some of his best fights and notable victories that include wins over Peter Graham, Devin Vargas, Scott Alexander, Andriy Rudenko, Craig Lewis, box Don Haynesworth, and Mark Brown.
“Our team has worked diligently with all parties involved to reschedule this monumental fight to a date that ensures both Jake Paul and Mike Tyson are fully prepared, with equal training time, as well as allowing us to keep the event at AT&T stadium in the midst of the Cowboys season,” MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian said in a statement.
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