Mike Tyson — Records, Career, Bio, Popularity & Fame Trend

Summary

Updated 2026-07-17

He became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at 20, then lost everything in prison, bit off part of an opponent's ear in a rematch, and decades later drew the biggest boxing gate in US history outside Vegas—against a YouTuber.

Biography

About

Michael Gerard Tyson was born June 30, 1966, and turned pro in 1985, winning his first 19 fights by knockout—12 in the first round. At 20, he claimed his first belt and became the youngest heavyweight champion ever, then unified the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles by 1987, reigning as undisputed champion until 1990. That year, Buster Douglas knocked him out in one of boxing's greatest upsets. In 1992, Tyson was convicted of rape and served three years of a six-year sentence. After his 1995 release, he regained the WBA and WBC titles in 1996, joining Ali and Foreman as one of six men to reclaim a heav…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson

said2005

In a 2005 post-fight interview Tyson described boxing as "the hurt business.

Mike Tyson

said2002

I'm just a dark guy from a den of iniquity. A dark shadowy figure from the bowels of iniquity. I wish I could be Mike who gets an endorsement deal.

— As quoted in Telegraph (2002).

Mike Tyson

said1986

Reported by Joyce Carol Oates in 1986 (published in 1987): "'It's a lonely sport,' Mike Tyson, who is surrounded by people who love him, says.

Mike Tyson

said1976

I still can’t believe [ Muhammad Ali ] knows my name. It astounds me he knows who I am. I first met Ali in 1976. I was locked up in a juvenile home and he came to visit.

Mike Tyson

saidundated