'I didn't intervene': Mike Tyson on seeing sexual violence and receiving knife threats in prison

Mike Tysonthe legendary former heavyweight boxing champion, has spoken out about the violence and attacks he witnessed during his time in prison. Tyson, who served three years of a six-year sentence for a 1992 rape conviction, recounted the harrowing experiences he endured, describing prison as a place where survival meant adapting to brutality, according to a report by the Mirror.

Tyson reflects on prison violence

Tyson revealed that witnessing abuse, including sexual violence, behind bars was a grim reality. “Everywhere,” he said of the attacks. “I didn’t intervene. It wasn’t my business. If I was raped or raped, do you think anyone would intervene? No. It was my job to waste my time, no one else’s,” Tyson said in an interview , as reported by Newsweek.

His time at the Indiana Youth Center began after his conviction for the rape of 18-year-old Desiree Washington, a contestant in the Miss Black America pageant. Despite maintaining his innocence, Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison and released on parole after serving three years.

Navigating life behind bars

Known for his fearsome reputation within the boxing ring, Tyson admitted his fame made him a target in prison. “People will try you. They will try the strongest. You have to be a man,” Tyson said. He described how inmates would test him, starting with sarcastic comments to gauge his reaction. ‘You nip it in the bud. You don’t let anyone get away with saying something funny or sarcastic,” he explained.

Tyson also spoke about the ever-present threat of knife attacks, showing that he was always prepared to defend himself. “They had (guns), but they didn’t have anything I didn’t have,” he said.

Despite the violence, Tyson found an unexpected refuge in solitary confinement. “The hole was cool,” he told the Mirror. “The box was my savior.” While many inmates feared isolation, Tyson claimed it helped him survive the mental toll of incarceration. “No, the hole can never make you crazy. I like to be alone. That’s who I am,” he said.

Struggle and redemption after prison

After his release in 1995, Tyson’s return to boxing was marked by infamy, including the infamous 1997 fight in which he bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear. His time in prison remains a defining period in his life, influencing his later reflections on fame, survival and the challenges he faced both inside and outside the ring.

In a related development, Tyson was recently confronted Jake Paul in a much-hyped boxing match. Despite his storied career, Tyson lost the fight by unanimous decision, as reported by Variety. Reflecting on his performance, Tyson commented, “I didn’t prove anything to anyone but myself”, acknowledging Paul’s skills and praising him as “a very good fighter”.