Mike Tyson has been out of the boxing ring for four years, but don't count him out.
He's making a comeback.
The former world heavyweight boxing champion goes head-to-head on April 24 with his most formidable opponent — namely himself — as he narrates a documentary chronicling his tumultuous life, simply called "Tyson."
The film, directed by James Toback, is Tyson's take on Tyson. It's also Toback's way of allowing Tyson to reveal himself without inhibition and with eloquence and a pervasive vulnerability, according to the documentary's production notes.
Since Tyson is the only one waxing lyrical about himself, it's not exactly a balanced account. It's a bit self-indulgent — but it is totally engaging. It's told strictly from Tyson's point of view as he recounts his rise and fall in the boxing arena and in life.
Growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y., he was a pudgy little kid who was, believe it or not, afraid to fight. Eventually he got into some trouble and was sent to the New York State correction facility for boys in 1979. That's where he met Cus D'Amato, a legendary fight man who would eventually mold him into a ferocious fighting machine.
By the time he was 20, Tyson had become the youngest heavyweight champion ever. Next came partying, drinking and drugs. Caught up in the limelight, his world quickly began to spin out of control.
Whether you're a fan of Tyson, or if you think he's despicable, there's no denying that his life has been a cabaret.
"Tyson" puts a spotlight on his life, warts and all.
Although it starts off slow with Tyson in talking head form interwoven with original interviews and incredible archival boxing footage, the film quickly takes shape as it exposes the boxing world's ultimate bad boy and his astonishing vulnerability.
The amount of information Tyson spills is revelatory and shocking.
Tyson reminisces about the most intimate of events including how both his "mother and neighborhood was promiscuous;" how he got gonorrhea "from a prostitute or a filthy woman;" how he despises Don King for stealing millions of dollars from him; how he likes to dominate women completely; how he was too young to be married to Robin Givens and how he can't believe he didn't say anything when she goaded him during an interview with Barbara Walters; how he had many affairs on the side and how he "got caught a lot;" as well as how he himself is sometimes scared of life and people.
There is footage of him releasing a barrage of outrageous verbal tirades that includes turning his opponents into his "girlfriend" and eating their children. The rage Tyson displays is volcanic and helps explain why he was one of the most feared boxing champs inside the ring.
Then there's the time he lost his faith in God after being convicted in 1992 of raping Miss Black America contestant Desiree Washington, a crime that he insists to this day he did not commit.
"Prison is the closest thing to death," says Tyson, who goes on to describe life in prison as his darkest hour.
Tyson's behavior could easily be dismissed as that of a psychopath.
There were fights outside of the ring; numerous run-ins with the law; drugs and alcohol abuse; bankruptcy; jail time; assaults; two divorces; car crashes; and the infamous ear-biting incident.
And to those incidents, Tyson admits being out of control.
What may be Tyson's most illuminating moment is the revelation he never thought he would live to be 40. Spiraling downward, Tyson was sure eventually he'd make a crash landing. He was conflicted, disturbed, in pain, sad, confused, unstable, frustrated and somewhat of a social misfit.
Now 42, the Brooklyn native revels at the chance to change his life's path.
This is a riveting look at a complex man.
Tyson seems genuinely contrite about having subjected the public to his negative behavior.
And although he's apologetic, he's not looking for sympathy. He regrets and is embarrassed about his controversial antics over the years and now looks forward to "living a healthy life."
A little heavier and a bit out of shape, he's in a happy place right now and it only took him 42 years to get there.
Kudos to Toback for his stylish presentation. "Tyson" is an unexpected gem.
"Tyson," (Sony Pictures Classics), directed and produced by James Toback, is executive produced by Mike Tyson, Harlan Werner and others.
On the Donloe Scale — D (don't bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (OK) and E (excellent) — "Tyson" gets an "O" (OK).
Darlene Donloe is a writer for the L.A. Watts Times.
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
very well done.
this man, who may have outraged millions, is a tragic story and a story that is more common than we know. Society can chew you up and spit you out. Many people,unfortunately, have limitations, with which to combat the toxicity of their circumstance