Updated 18th November 2024
Once known as “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” Mike Tyson’s life has been a spectacle of extraordinary highs and devastating lows. In our very first People feature we wanted to shine a light on former heavyweight boxing legend “Iron” Mike Tyson.
Baddest man on the planet no more!
The much-hyped fight on 15 November 2024 with Youtuber turned pro boxer Jake Paul confirms that Mike Tyson is no longer the baddest man on the planet, at least not at 58 years of age!
Boxing is undoubtedly one of the most physically demanding sports and it would be ludicrous to expect Tyson to fight like he did when he was in his physical prime as he approaches 60 years of age.
Still, even after taking Mike Tyson’s age into account, it was a disappointing fight nonetheless.
Based on the Mike Tyson I saw on the Netflix documentary preceding the fight showing him in training I really thought we might see a tiny glimpse of the old “iron Mike Tyson”.
Sadly, the ferocity of Mike Tyson in training was not to be seen on fight night.
I think like many people who watched Mike Tyson at his prime, there was a nostalgia there and a deep desire to see him do it once again in the ring.
After all the hype, the fight wasn’t exciting and I’d say it was a hollow victory for Jake Paul at best.
Paul boxed respectably well and was in physically excellent shape. If he wasn’t, I’d say the 58-year-old Tyson probably would have picked him apart and knocked him out.
From that perspective, Jake Paul deserves respect for being able to go to toe to toe with a once heavyweight legend who put fear into those that were brave enough to step into the ring.
The fight was interesting I guess, from the perspective of seeing a former heavyweight champion and baddest man on the planet up against a much less experienced but also much younger fighter in his physical prime. How would experience fare against youth?
What I did like was seeing the ‘humble warrior’ side of Mike Tyson come out when interviewed after the fight.
Tyson was asked if he felt like he proved the world wrong by going at least 8 rounds with a younger man and he replied
“I didn’t prove nothing to anybody, only to myself, I’m not one of those guys that look to please the world, I’m just happy with what I can do”
That’s the wiser and more mature Mike Tyson that we see today.
Mike Tyson – when he was the baddest man on the planet
Now, let’s go back in time…
From reigning as the youngest heavyweight champion of all time to becoming infamous for his legal troubles and reckless lifestyle, Tyson’s story has long been a turbulent one.
But today, in 2024, the man behind the once-feared persona has transformed in ways few could have predicted.
What does Mike Tyson have to do with the Global Circle or digital nomads you might be wondering
The Global Circle is about the planet and the people on it. People who challenge conventions beat to their own drum and live life to the max!
Beyond where to stay as a digital nomad or where to rock up with your laptop, we’re also interested in remarkable people, technology, business and financial freedom.
We wanted to use the example of Mike Tyson as a person who has endured a great deal in his life, made plenty of mistakes along the way and ultimately found a pathway to contentment and happiness.
The November 15 fight has put the cat amongst the pigeons so to speak and has changed the narrative a little. However, this article was written before the fight and is a broader story of Mike Tyson’s life and journey and recent events aside I believe we can still learn a lesson or two from him.
Mike Tyson knockouts from his prime
Mike Tyson’s rise to fame and the harshest of falls
In the mid-1980s, “Iron” Mike Tyson exploded onto the boxing scene, capturing the imagination of millions. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history.
But Tyson’s ascent was not just about athletic prowess; he brought an intensity and fear to the ring that made him a global boxing sensation.
With knockouts that could end a fight in seconds and a fearsome scowl to match, he was, for many, the living embodiment of an unstoppable force. A force not to be messed with.
But Tyson’s fame also brought with it tremendous pressure and dangerous temptations.
Despite his early success, his life began spiralling as he navigated personal and professional turmoil. Legal troubles, accusations, and a prison sentence in the early 1990s tainted his reputation and drained his quite considerable fortune.
After returning to the ring, he continued to struggle, both in boxing and in his personal life.
One of the most memorable incidents—his infamous bite of Evander Holyfield’s ear—solidified a dark legacy of erratic behaviour.
As the years passed, Tyson seemed like he was on a well-trodden pathway, a pathway to self-destruction.
The turning point: Confronting past demons and finding inner peace
In his darkest years, Tyson reached a critical juncture.
As he publicly acknowledged in later interviews, he was forced to confront the trauma that had shaped him, from a turbulent childhood to the hyper-competitive world of boxing.
Tyson found himself asking, “What kind of man do I want to be?” This question would change the course of his life.
The first steps were painful but necessary: Tyson openly sought therapy, embraced sobriety, and began to speak about his struggles with vulnerability.
Over time, Tyson transitioned to dedicated family man, developed a daily meditation practice, looked deep inside with the help of Ayahuasca and embraced a more humble way of life.
Slowly but surely, the world began to see a new Tyson—one who could laugh at himself, make peace with his past, and offer wisdom rather than threats.
For the first time, Tyson wasn’t just training his body; he was training his mind and spirit and probably with the same level of unwavering dedication.
Embracing fatherhood, business, and a fresh perspective on fame and life ahead
Today, Tyson at 58, spends much of his time at home with his wife. his children and his birds.
He’s spoken candidly about fatherhood as his “greatest teacher,” a role that has brought him immense fulfilment.
His beloved children have been both his support system and his grounding force, keeping him tethered to a life of meaning.
Beyond family, Tyson has achieved success in business with his cannabis venture, Tyson Ranch. By investing in an industry dedicated to wellness and alternative medicine, Tyson has channelled his new values into a profitable and impactful endeavour.
“I’m grateful to finally be in a place where I can focus on giving back,” he says, noting that Tyson Ranch employs a team dedicated to advocating for criminal justice reform and aiding veterans.
While Tyson still loves the sport that made him famous, his approach to it has shifted.
Rather than chasing belts, he now sees boxing as a vehicle for personal growth and a means to share life lessons with others. “Boxing taught me how to survive. Now, it teaches me how to live,” he reflects.
Mike Tysons lessons in redemption, resilience, and the power of change
Mike Tyson’s story is a reminder that no matter how far we fall, redemption is always within reach. In recent years, Tyson has emerged as a kind of unlikely sage, speaking candidly about the perils of unchecked ambition, the weight of fame, and the healing power of vulnerability. “I used to think being a fighter was about defeating others,” he says. “Now I know it’s about defeating the person in the mirror.”
As he looks to the future, Tyson is both grateful and driven. “I’ve learned that life isn’t about proving yourself to others; it’s about proving yourself to you.”
His advice to anyone facing their own struggles is simple yet profound: “Take it one day at a time. Every day is a chance to be better.”
It’s truly remarkable to observe how a person can reach the giddiest heights from nothing, experience what most of us never will in terms of fame, hardship, the extreme pressures of sport and rapid riches to nothingness and still come back fighting like a champion.
As a final note, the November 15th fight aside, we love how Mike Tyson has yet again earned the respect of so many people around the world, not just as a sporting legend but also as a man who made his way from the baddest man on the planet to humble warrior in the crazy way that only Mike Tyson can!
It’s that journey from baddest man on the planet to a humble warrior who has found redemption later in life that is inspiring we hope to millions around the world who might have their own struggles.
For more info about the Tyson vs Paul fight visit > https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/jake-paul-vs-mike-tyson-live-release-date-news
