Once known as “The Baddest Man on the Planet,” Mike Tyson stunned the world not just with his fists, but with his lifestyle—one that included owning pet tigers. But in a 2020 Instagram Live interview with Fat Joe, Tyson revealed the truth behind the viral photos and jaw-dropping stories. “I was dumb,” he admitted. “There’s no way you can domesticate these cats 100 percent. They’ll kill you by accident.”
Tyson once owned several tigers, including Storm, Boris, and the most well-known, Kenya. These massive animals prowled the grounds of his Las Vegas mansion, often treated like oversized house pets. He would feed them by hand, play with them, and even walk them on leashes. The image became iconic—Tyson, fierce and untouchable, living with wild beasts as if they were loyal dogs.
But the reality, as he later admitted, was far more complicated—and dangerous.
In the early 2000s, a serious incident forced Tyson to confront the risks of his exotic companions. Kenya, the tiger he had raised for 16 years, attacked a woman who had climbed over his fence. Though the court ruled in Tyson’s favor, since the woman was trespassing, he still paid her $250,000 in compensation. The incident deeply affected him, revealing just how unpredictable and deadly wild animals could be—even to those who loved them.
Beyond the physical danger, Tyson also faced the overwhelming cost of caring for the tigers. Between food, veterinary bills, and security precautions, the financial burden was immense. As his tigers aged, their health deteriorated. Kenya developed hip issues and vision problems, making her care even more specialized and expensive.
Eventually, Tyson made the painful decision to give them up. Kenya was transferred to a wildlife sanctuary, where she could receive the care she needed in a safe, controlled environment. Storm and Boris followed, also rehomed to sanctuaries better equipped for their long-term care. Tyson admitted it was one of the hardest decisions of his life—but the right one.
Looking back, Tyson speaks with a mix of humility and clarity. “You think you can control them. But you can’t,” he said. “They’re wild. They don’t belong in a house.” His experience serves as a powerful lesson on the dangers of treating wild animals as pets—and a rare moment of self-awareness from one of boxing’s most ferocious figures.
In the end, Tyson’s greatest show of strength may not have been in the ring, but in recognizing the limits of control—and the wisdom of letting go.
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