In 1985, Mike Tyson left hooked his way onto the professional boxing scene surrounded by the type of media hoopla normally reserved for royalty or at least, Anna Nicole Smith. He knocked out 19 of his first 22 opponents, most in the first round. He was a pugilistic God, almost universally touted as the best boxing prospect since Muhammad Ali. Then it all fell apart. His drug-induced downfall cost him two marriages, years in prison, and his legacy in the ring. From the most feared man in the world to a columnist punchline, Mike Tyson has experienced exuberant highs and ten-count lows. Now, one filmmaker is ready to tell his story.
According to Movieweb, Oscar nominee James Toback will produce a feature length documentary, chronicling the rise and fall of the champion. For the last few weeks, Toback has interviewed Tyson for over thirty hours on a wide range of both boxing and personal questions. This, along with archived clips, will provide the basis for the upcoming film. Tyson is currently facing DUI and felony drug possession charges. He goes to court in August; no word yet on whether this ongoing litigation will be covered.
I really think this has the potential for greatness. Mike Tyson is almost a walking contradiction: the soft-spoken thug, the emotional purse-snatcher, the fighting orphan. He’s been arrested over forty times, starting at age ten when he began mugging people to support himself while he lived on the street. He’s Len Bias, Roy Munson, and Sid Vicious all wrapped in a 5% body fat package. Mike Tyson is the man who had the world in the palm of his hand and decided to let go. I can’t wait to hear why.
