However, rather than shying away from the attention or criticism, Tyson embraced his new look and even defended it in interviews. He explained that the tattoo was a tribute to Maori culture and that he had gotten it after visiting New Zealand. He also said that he had wanted to get a tattoo on his face for years, but had been dissuaded by his advisors and trainers.
Tyson went on to become the youngest heavyweight champion of the world when he was 20 years old. He won 12 of his first 19 fights by knockout in the first round. He was powerful and ferocious. Tyson struck fear into his opponents and wound up winning 50 professional fights. He won 44 of them by knockout.
The fact that Tyson got his Maori facial tattoo just a week before the fight also threw the event into doubt. Any tattoo close to a fight is ill-advised as it can bleed or become infected. Yet Tyson was determined, originally wanting a bunch of hearts on his face (“I was going to be the man of hearts, baby”) until his tattoo artist convinced him that Maori warrior ink was a better look.
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On May 25, 2009, Tyson’s four-year-old daughter Exodus was found by her seven-year-old brother Miguel unconscious and tangled in a cord, dangling from an exercise treadmill. The child’s mother, Sol Xochitl, untangled her, administered CPR and called for medical attention. Tyson, who was in Las Vegas at the time of the incident, traveled back to Phoenix to be with her. She died of her injuries on May 26, 2009.
The intricate designs associated with Maori and Polynesian tribal art are often rich with symbolism and convey important cultural messages. The symbols, shapes, and patterns used in these tattoos represent different aspects of an individual’s life, such as their family heritage, achievements, and personal beliefs.
He has yet another portrait of Che Guevara on his left abdomen. It is a copy of the famous Guerrillero Heroico photograph. Tyson got it in prison as well, as he was deeply mistrusting of his state and current government back then. Additionally, Kid Dynamite has a portrait of Monica Turner on the left forearm and a Dragon tattoo on his right forearm.
The following year, Tyson did the necessary consolidation. On March 7, 1987, Tyson went up against WBA placeholder James “Bonecrusher” Smith in Las Vegas. Smith fought not so much to crush Tyson’s bones as to preserve his own, and after 12 dull rounds Tyson was declared the winner. On August 1, 1987, Tyson went up against IBF champion Tony Tucker to reunite the triple crown of boxing. Tucker did manage to land a blow in the first round, and ultimately he did go the distance, but it was clearly Tyson’s fight throughout. “Aw, he stopped fighting after the fifth round,” Tyson told Sports Illustrated. “After that he was just in there to survive.” Tucker survived, but his championship did not. When it was over, Mike Tyson was the undisputed World Heavyweight Championship (complete with crown and chinchilla robe, provided, inevitably, by the showman who always managed to climb into the ring with a champ, Don King ). An embarrassed Mike Tyson sat in brooding silence during this “coronation.”
Throughout his life and career, Tyson’s tattoo has been a constant companion, serving as a reminder of his roots and the obstacles he has overcome. As he continues to evolve personally and professionally, the tattoo remains a lasting symbol of his resilience and determination. Mike Tyson tattoo removal would not only be an act of physical change, but also a symbol of a break from his past and the stories he has experienced.
“They said I looked like some tribesman or s***. I ran into some chicks that happened to be from the Maowi tribe and they said ‘hey, you’ve got some of my tribe on your face’ and the lady pulled her pants down and she has this tattoo on her butt.”
Fueled by genuine curiosity and love for every facet of tattooing, I have diligently crafted well-researched articles, with a special focus on the Tattoo Meaning of Impeccable Nest section. Here, my aim is to help the tattoo community gain a deeper understanding of the meanings and values embedded in each tattoo.
During the design process, Tyson and Whitmill collaborated with each other, with Tyson making suggestions on the imagery and symbolism he wanted to incorporate into the design. After several iterations, they settled on the final design, which has since become iconic.
Over the course of his career in the ring, Tyson experienced both tremendous success and debilitating setbacks. He became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20, but also faced numerous controversies and personal struggles, including prison time for rape.
Mike Tyson grew up poor and troubled and he wound up rich and famous. His mother died when he was 16 and he was taken in by his legendary trainer Cus D’Amato. Before Tyson was 13 years old, he had been arrested more than 30 times. He needed boxing division list and, as we later found out, boxing needed him.
