“I’m a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.” – Mike Tyson
I have researched Iron Mike Tyson as much as a boxing scholar has. I have written graduate school papers on him, blogs, articles, the list goes on. I know his story and life, like the back of my hand. The infinite stories of Iron mike Tyson are legendary, especially in the world of Hip -Hop. What separates Mike Tyson from other legendry sports athletes linked to Hip-Hop culture is that Mike was in Hip-Hop culture from the begging. Mike is linked to many of the street legends of the underworld of Hip-Hop as well as managers, promoters, DJs, fashion icons, and rappers. Mike Tyson knows them all and was there riding in the front seat with them. From Haitian Jack, Eric Von Zip, to Peter Shue the list goes on. One of the stories that I always find funny and rather interesting for various reasons is the (Tunnel Nightclub) story told by Fat Joe. He has various stories with Iron Mike, but the most famous is the infamous Tunnel nightclub story. The Tunnel is a famous New York City nightclub that had a reputation for being a Hip-Hop hot stop of a good time along with crime. It was also that one place where only the “Real” walked out with all their jewelry at the end of the night.
Words from Fat Joe:
“Me and Big Pun, may he rest in peace, we went there two deep, meaning two of us alone no entourage.”
The nightclub the Tunnel was apparently a rough spot and he said he doesn’t know why they went, but they went… at the time of this incident, Big Pun is one of the biggest rappers out.
And as Fat Joe says, “double platinum.”
Some of the club’s security wanted Big Pun to remove his boots to search him and he didn’t want to so then they start arguing, “Fuck you, you’re mother this and that…”
One of the security was causing all the trouble and the other bouncers were like, “yo that’s Big Pun!”
Fat Joe said that he turned around and said, “‘Yo Pun just chill’. Next thing you know he said something about Pun’s mom.”
And that’s when the situation went from having the security on their side to having no one but each other.
“So I’m telling Pun, ‘We about to get knocked out, these guys are cocked-diesel seven-footers.’ Pun’s like, ‘I don’t care, let’s do it, let’s go, let’s go.’ Now it’s eight of them, 8 out of 10, only two of them are like chill….”
“Out of nowhere, we hear this voice go, ‘Yo Pun, Yo Joe, let’s Fuck these dudes up, I got your back.’ We turn around and it’s Iron Mike Tyson. 2:30 in the morning with the cuffie on, fresh outta jail, had the suit on and he gets starts taking off his shoes. It was a blessing, Allah sent us a blessing. He’s taking shoes off. Everyone is looking like oh my God this Iron Mike.”
He said, “We ended up going outside the Tunnel and Mike Tyson started chasing the bounce around the car like 20 times and the bounce was like, ‘Yo Pun, Fat Joe please, Pun, Fat Joe tell Iron Mike… call him off.’
This is one of many stories Hip-Hop stories linked to Iron Mike. This story to me says a lot about Mike Tyson believe it or not. While others see it as a guy looking for trouble, not learning his lesson fresh out of jail. I see it as a man with morals and principles that is defending friends in a time of need. Hey,who wouldn’t want Iron Mike on their side in a fight outside the club?
Mike Tyson’s personality and reputation take a huge hit from those that aren’t use to being around men with unique alpha male persona. Mike in my opinion from the research I’ve done has demons we will never understand and there’s no need for us too. Hey, at times I feel the same way and fight similar demons! But who am I to judge? Or better yet Who are we to judge a man clearly crying out for help, in pain!
We have seen a glimpse of Mike Tysons personality, the good and bad throughout his career in boxing post interviews, docs, and as of recently a look at an older Mike through his podcast Hot Boxin. His podcast with Evan Britton and as of recent Henry Cejudo provide a different perceptive of who Mike was, is, how he views himself, how others view him, and so on. I guess we have the DMT or the Toad to thank for that (Podcast Reference). Many people are use to seeing the post boxing ” I will eat his children” Mike and only have that does interviews as a reference. Many label Mike as an uncontrollable savage, loudmouth boxer and that might be true for Mike’s younger years. Then again who wasn’t like that in their 20’s? I know I was!
If you ever catch an episode of his apple podcast Iron Mike will reveal a different side to him one that the world wasn’t aware of. It’s the complex combination of his dark past, present light, and wise advice that capture my attention and intrigues me, along with the pain I see and hear him share. His Podcast allows listeners and fans new and old to better know Mike and appreciate his story and history in the sport of boxing. While people the age of my sister may only know Mike Tyson as the guy with a tattoo on his face from the Hangover movies and not as the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20 after beating Trevor Berbick by TKO in the second round.
“I’m the most brutal and ruthless conqueror there has ever been.” “I could feel his muscle tissues collapse under my force.
It’s ludicrous these mortals even attempt to enter my realm.”
