Mike Tyson opens up about his life in an interview with the ShayShay Club. The man shares that his father was absent in his life and his stepfather walked out when he was born. Tragically his mother died when he was 16. Tyson says that her death was a good thing in his life as without her he toughened and the world taught him how to fight back.
Mike Tyson says that his mother's death was one of the best things that ever happened to him.
Tyson's mom, Lorna Tyson sadly passed away after battling with cancer in 1982, which was three years prior to her son's pro boxing debut.
He was only 16 when his mother died.
The boxing icon grew up in Brownsville, a rough crimeful neighborhood, in Brooklyn, New York.
He didn't know about his biological father, Purcell Tyson, whilst his stepdad, Jimmy Kirkpatrick, walked out on the family shortly after Tyson came into the world.
Talking about Kirkpatrick, the 55-year-old told the ShayShay Club: "My father was just a regular street guy caught up in the street world."
Speaking about his mom, Tyson said: "You know, one of the best things that ever happened to me is that my mother died.
"Because my mother would have 'babied' me.
"There's no way I would ever got into a street fight. No way I would ever learn to stand up for myself."
The boxer once told Bleacher Report in 2012 that he actually barely knew his mum.
He added: "I never saw my mother happy with me and proud of me for doing something.
"She only knew me as being a wild kid running the streets, coming home with new clothes that she knew I didn't pay for.
"I never got a chance to talk to her or know about her.
"Professionally, it has no effect, but it's crushing emotionally and personally."
Tyson began associating with local gangs when he was only a teenager and got into troubles - many of which stemmed from him being bullied by his peers for his high-pitched voice and lisp.
The most bizarre part? Before he had turned 13, Tyson had been arrested around 38 times and was sent to a juvenile school.
A few weeks back, there was a report circulating on social media that claimed that he will be fighting Jake Paul for £36 million ($48.9m).
But Tyson soon put the rumors to rest when he said: "This is new to me. I saw Jake in St. Barths and he never mentioned it."