Netflix Docuseries 'Tyson' Offers Raw Look at Boxing Legend's Life
The four-part series features Mike Tyson reflecting candidly on his tumultuous career and personal history.
A new four-part docuseries titled "Tyson" on Netflix offers an in-depth look at the life of the legendary heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson. Directed by Floyd Russ, the series features Tyson, now 60, reflecting openly on his volatile and often documented life, which has been in the public eye since his professional boxing debut at age 19 in 1985.
The series opens with Tyson stating, "When the camera comes on, those demons will appear," setting a tone for the introspective narrative. The first episode delves into his challenging childhood in Brownsville, Brooklyn, marked by violence and his mother's struggles. It traces his path to boxing and his mentorship under trainer Cus D’Amato, who saw Tyson as a successor to boxing greats like Floyd Patterson and Muhammad Ali. During this period, which Tyson describes as the happiest of his life, he lived and trained at D’Amato's boxing academy in Catskill, New York.
Following his success in the Junior Olympics, D’Amato guided Tyson to turn professional at 19, aiming to break Patterson's record as the youngest heavyweight champion. Tyson's rapid ascent through the boxing ranks, marked by numerous knockout victories, coincided with D’Amato's declining health. Tyson expresses enduring emotion regarding D’Amato's death in November 1985, shortly before his mother's passing. In November 1986, at 20 years old, Tyson achieved D’Amato's vision by capturing the WBC heavyweight title via TKO against Trevor Berbick, thus becoming the youngest heavyweight champion in history.
The series incorporates archival footage and interviews with individuals who trained alongside Tyson and sports reporters who covered his early career. However, the contemporary interviews with Tyson himself are presented as the most compelling aspect of the series. Viewers witness moments of anger, frank admissions about criminal activities from his youth, and profound emotional responses, particularly when discussing D’Amato's death. The narrative highlights Tyson's unfiltered approach, allowing his raw emotions to surface.
One particularly poignant moment features Tyson questioning the significance he placed on winning the heavyweight title in the broader context of his life. The series touches upon significant events in his life, including his marriage to Robin Givens, his rape conviction, his unexpected loss to Buster Douglas, and the infamous ear-biting incident with Evander Holyfield, though these are explored in later episodes.
"Tyson" has been compared to other sports docuseries such as "The Last Dance" and "The Captain." The review suggests that the series is an engaging examination of Tyson's eventful life, largely due to the boxer's reflective commentary. The series concludes its initial reflection with Tyson musing, "It’s hard to navigate your true self when you really don’t know who the fuck you are," as images flash of his life post-championship.