Auch Tysons neuer Trainer Aaron Snowell, der zum ersten Mal mit Tyson zusammenarbeitete, wirkte unprofessionell: Tysons schwere Schwellung über dem linken Auge wurde erst spät gekühlt, und nur mit Eiswürfeln statt mit dem Kühleisen.

Always keen to come out of retirement to celebrate his 50-0-0 in the ring, Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. was quick to share the BoxRec “Greatest of All Time” list on his Instagram page. “Numbers don’t lie and BoxRec told the truth. It is what it is,” his caption read. With a total of 2,256 points, Mayweather is over 800 points ahead of second-place Pacquiao on the list. According to Forbes, Mayweather was the highest-earning athlete in the world in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018.

But there was also a contingent of younger audience members who professed their loyalty to Paul, whose platform on YouTube and social media has made him an icon for a generation with an unconventional, if uneven, exposure to boxing.

Mike Tyson’s facial tattoo is more than skin deep; it signifies a pivotal moment of transformation in his life. Tyson got this tattoo at a time when he was dealing with numerous personal and professional challenges. The tribal design, which encompasses his left eye, served as a marker of a new beginning and a way to move forward from past struggles. It represents his journey of metamorphosis, reflecting a personal rite of passage from his former self to the person he aspired to become.

The timing and choice of the tattoo sparked widespread speculation. His coach, Jeff Fenech, suggested to Fox Sports, the tattoo was more than aesthetics, hinting at Tyson’s reluctance to fight: “I thought we are fighting in a week, and when you get a tattoo, you can’t fight because they snap up and it wouldn’t be healthy to do that. We sat down and spoke, and he didn’t really want to fight and he wasn’t prepared to, and that was one of the reasons he got the tattoo.” The fight was even cancelled once, as his coaching team thought that his lack of conditioning could lead to him losing the fight. Yet, Tyson defied doubts, ended up fighting Clifford, decisively ending the bout with Etienne in a mere 49 seconds, showcasing his undiminished prowess.

The American former boxer Mike Tyson has four tattoos of note. Three—at least two of them prison tattoos —are portraits of men he respects: tennis player Arthur Ashe, Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, and Chinese communist leader Mao Zedong. The fourth, a face tattoo influenced by the Māori style tā moko, was designed and inked by S. Victor Whitmill in 2003. Tyson associates it with the Māori being warriors and has called it his “warrior tattoo”, a name that has also been used in the news media.

So why is Tyson trying to chase and summon a version of his younger self—the ruthless ring destroyer who became the youngest world heavyweight champion in boxing history at age twenty? It’s because he’s an addict. Always has been, always will be. But it’s no longer about sex, cocaine, or anger. These days, Tyson says, he is addicted to cannabis and to his wife telling him he’s a great husband.

With boundless exuberance, Clay tried to hype the gate, talking his trash (before it was thus named)—”Liston even smells like a bear. I’m gonna give him to the local zoo after I whup him”—and repeating his (as it turned out, accurate) prediction: “He will go in eight to prove that I’m great, and if he wants to go to heaven I’ll get him in seven.”

The 15-year-old was invited up. And Dundee was soon his trainer. He tended to have that effect on people. Fellow students at Central High remember a big puppy who sweetly and tentatively hit on girls who dismissed him as not very bright and least likely to succeed. But they did enjoy watching him do his daily roadwork, trailing the school bus and shouting that prediction of becoming champion of the world.

Another prison tattoo Tyson got while behind bars was that of tennis player Arthur Asher. The tattoo is a portrait of Asher with the words “Days of Grace” written above the image. He decided to get the ink after reading Asher’s biography, Days of Grace, site here which Spike Lee sent him.

The tattoo on Tyson’s face is not just a cosmetic piece of jewelry, but a powerful symbol of his personality, resilience and personal journey. It marks an important chapter in his life, reflecting both his struggles and his triumphs. The tattoo has become an integral part of his legacy, serving as a visual representation of the toughness and complexity that defines him.

Mike Tyson, 57, last fought in a 2020 exhibition match against Roy Jones Jr. — a fight that ended in a draw. Jake Paul, 27, was also on the card that night, fighting in a preliminary match against former NBA player Nate Robinson.

Contrary to what one might expect, the tattoo was not planned to carry a deep spiritual meaning. Initially contemplating a design of multiple hearts, Tyson was steered towards a tribal pattern by his tattoo artist, Victor Perez, who suggested something that would be visually striking and more suited to Tyson’s fierce image. Mike Tyson’s face tattoo design draws inspiration from Maori tribal markings, which are traditional symbols of strength and courage — qualities that Tyson resonated with.

Kent Kamau