The amazing rags-to-riches and ultimate downfall story of Mike Tyson’s life is told in the riveting biopic Tyson, available on DVD from HBO Video on 16 June 2008.
It’s a must-see for any Tyson or boxing fan capturing all the highs and low blows from his early days as a 12 year old amateur with a powerful punch, to the undisputed title of "Heavyweight Champion of the World".
Would you dare to call Mike Tyson ‘Fairy Boy’? One kid did and lived to regret it. He was beaten to a pulp by the young, shy, lisping Mike Tyson on the streets of Brooklyn for pulling the head off his lovingly reared homing pigeon.
Mike wasn’t a violent boy, but surprised even himself with the ferocity and efficiency of his attack. At this age, Mike Tyson had no idea he would become one of the world’s greatest boxers.
During his early teens, Tyson (Michael Jai White, Spawn) was expelled from junior high school for fighting. By the age of 13 he had been arrested 38 times and detained in several juvenile detention centres for robbery, mugging and assault.
Despite Mike’s troubled up bringing, veteran boxing coach Cus d’Amato (George C. Scott, 12 Angry Men) spotted his incredible potential and took him under his wing. Cus became a father figure to Mike and trained him through his early career.
After less than two years as a professional, at the tender age of 20, Mike Tyson destroyed the WBC heavyweight champion, Trevor Berbick, in 2 rounds.
He became the youngest ever heavyweight champion in history. He rose to the pinnacle of his career when he beat Heavyweight gold medallist, Tyrell Biggs and then Michael Spinks, who he annihilated in 91 seconds. ‘Tyson Mania’ swept through the world.
However Tyson’s personal life was much less successful. His marriage to Robin Givens ended in divorce, he signed a bad deal with promoter Don King (Paul Winfield, The Terminator) and his behaviour in the ring deteriorated.
During a fight with Evander Holyfield, Tyson infamously bit off a portion of his ear. In July 1991, Tyson was arrested and convicted of raping beauty queen Desiree Washington (Rebeckah Johnson, As Good as it Gets).
The evidence was fragile. Tyson served three years in prison, where he concentrated on educating himself and he converted to Islam. On release, Tyson returned to the ring.
In the early production stages of tyson, an extensive nation-wide search for the right actor to play him was undertaken. Michael Jai White (The Dark Knight) won the part due to his impressive athletic ability.
Holder of 5 belts in an array of karate styles, yet able to depict a delicate and understanding approach to Tyson’s life.
Every jab, uppercut and parry in tyson is authentically performed: The explosive fight scenes in were painstakingly recreated from actual video footage of his greatest fights.
See the story of this amazing rise and fall from grace of perhaps the best pugilist who ever lived in his revealing and affecting biopic.