'I Didn't Intervene': Mike Tyson On Seeing Sexual Assaults And Getting Knife Threats In Prison

Tyson served three years of a six-year sentence for a 1992 rape conviction

Mike Tyson, the legendary former heavyweight boxing champion, has spoken out about the violence and assaults 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 assaults, including sexual violence, was a grim reality behind bars. "All over the place," he said of the assaults. "I didn't intervene. It wasn't my business. If I was getting f***ed or raped, you think somebody would intervene? No. My job was to do my time, no one else's," Tyson shared 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 inside the boxing ring, Tyson admitted that his notoriety made him a target in prison. "People will try you. They'll try the strongest. You have to be a man," Tyson said. He described how inmates would test him, starting with sarcastic remarks to gauge his response. "You nip it in the bud. You don't let anyone get away with saying anything funny or sarcastic," he explained.

Tyson also spoke about the ever-present threat of knife attacks, revealing that he was always prepared to defend himself. "They had [weapons], 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 saviour." While many inmates feared isolation, Tyson claimed it helped him survive the mental toll of incarceration. "No, the hole could never drive you crazy. I like to be alone. That's who I am," he said.

Post-Prison Struggles and Redemption

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

In a related development, Tyson recently faced Jake Paul in a much-hyped boxing match. Despite his storied career, Tyson lost the fight in a unanimous decision, as reported by Variety. Reflecting on his performance, Tyson remarked, "I didn't prove nothing to anybody, only to myself," acknowledging Paul's skills and praising him as "a very good fighter."