Mike Tyson has gone through a series of transformations in his life: from street hoodlum to boxing prodigy, to the youngest heavyweight champion in history, to walking car crash, to mellowed family man, to raconteur. It is this latest role that the man who hits his half century later this year will return to in March.
Tyson’s hugely successful one-man stage show entitled “Undisputed Truth” proved to be a revelation, with Mike’s rapid-fire delivery on stage bringing both laughter and sympathy from the consistently large crowds. Now, beginning on March 3rd, with the run ending in June, Tyson will take to the stage again.
Tyson will perform at Brad Garrett’s Comedy Club inside The MGM Grand on the Vegas strip and fans who are lucky enough to attend should prepare themselves for hilarious stories about Tyson’s former opponents, or victims if you prefer; the simply unique Mitch “Blood” Green and his storied antics proving especially amusing, as well as harrowing tales from the teenage and younger Tyson’s tough life.
Of course, Tyson will add news stories to the new season, but the material that proved to highlight the 2012 run of the show will almost certainly be included once again. Hear Tyson talk about his mentor, the legendary Cus D’Amato and see if you are not moved. Listen to Tyson talk about his infamous 1992 rape conviction and see if you do not come to an opinion regarding the former king’s guilt or innocence. Hear Tyson talk with passion about his losing fights with Buster Douglas and Evander Holyfield – with the shocking “Bite Fight” naturally getting extra attention – and see if you think Mike is a bitter man today.
“After performing Undisputed Truth on stages throughout the world, I am excited to bring this show back to my hometown of Las Vegas,” said New York-born Tyson. “I can’t wait to bring my story full circle this March and begin my residency at The MGM Grand.”
It will be interesting to see how much more Tyson can add to his show – how much more could there possibly be to tell? Tyson, who said many years ago he never expected to live as long as he has, is now enjoying life and he is at peace. And the Tyson of today cuts a relatively normal figure. Okay, there are the occasional notable TV appearances (remember not too long ago when a Canadian interviewer badly upset Tyson with his tasteless rapist comment!) but Mike is, as he himself says, just a regular father and husband today.
Still, whoever attends his upcoming show will not fail to be gripped by Mike’s look back on his life, a simply incredible one.
Some of the “highlights” of Tyson’s life:
As a kid in school (reform school?) Tyson met the great, the incomparable Muhammad Ali, who was visiting kids less fortunate than he had been and was also promoting his 1977 movie, “The Greatest.” this day proved monumental in the young Tyson’s life.
Meeting, indeed, being saved by, Cus D’Amato. Rescued from reformatory school, Tyson was given a real purpose in his life by the sage, somewhat eccentric boxing trainer. Mike had a Father Figure he could genuinely trust.
Losing, twice, to Henry Tillman in the 1984 Olympic trials. Tyson, as powerful as he was fast, wasn’t accustomed to losing, yet he both matured and gained experience in the two Tillman bouts.
Turning pro in March of 1985, with a devastating and quick KO. Tyson was soon a star/major attraction.
Suffering the November 1985 death of D’Amato, which hit Tyson hard. He arguably never recovered from this sad loss.
Winning the WBC heavyweight crown with a second-round decimation of Trevor Berbick in November of 1986. Tyson, who had made history as the youngest ever heavyweight champ, said he was sure Cus was looking down on him, telling all the greats his boy had done it.
Unifying the crown with arguably his peak performance, a 91-second win over a terrified Michael Spinks.
Divorcing his “beloved” Robin Givens. Only now, Tyson said at the time, could the fog from his brain clear.
Losing the crown to whopping underdog Buster Douglas in Tokyo. In his one-man show, Mike goes over the infamous “Long Count.” Listen to him, and you might go along with his claims of not really losing this one!
Being imprisoned for rape in 1992, a crime Tyson insists to this day he is innocent of.
Regaining a portion of his crown with a destruction of a thoroughly intimidated Frank Bruno, just three months after being releases from prison in 1996.
Losing to former amateur nemesis Evander Holyfield, forever losing his cloak of invincibility.
Engaging in and shocking the entire world with the unforgettable “Bite Fight” rematch with Holyfield.
Losing it completely in the pre-fight brawl with soon-to-be-conqueror Lennox Lewis, which involved another bite.
Suffering the tragically sad death of his young daughter. A truly horrible event in Mike’s life.
Entering and exiting rehab, multiple times.
Retiring from boxing and finally finding inner peace.
Living today: as a happily married man, telling his life story to millions.
