Parenting

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Mike Tyson opens up about daughter's harrowing death

In an interview that was both riveting and unsettling, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson--famous for his allegedly abusive relationship with ex-wife, actress Robin Givens,  as well as the 1997 comback fight that ended with him biting off the ear of opponent Evander Holyfield--talked about the loss of his 4-year-old daughter, Exodus, in a freak accident last year.

In a strained, wavering voice, Tyson described how he "didn't want to know" exactly what had happened to leave his daughter strangled by the cord of a treadmill.

Oprah then asked, "How has her death affected or changed you? I heard you just say she's a little angel.  I actually do believe that when you've loved somebody and they've loved you, that you end up with an angel whose name you know."

Dodging Oprah's theory for a more complicated (and decidedly less woo-woo) explanation, Tyson responded: "I don't know Oprah, you know, I'd like to believe that. That sounds great. But my first instinct was a lot of rage...I'm just so happy that I had the tools in life not to go in that direction because I've been there, I know where it's going to lead me...My family, that's my biggest asset."

Sitting in the interviewee's chair with an enormous past weighing on him, Tyson seemed less like a champion than a man who who had lived a spectacular, if disturbing life. Which, strangely, made him as likable a public figure as he has been in years.



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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 39
  • Aira's Avatar
    Posted by Aira Mon Oct 12, 2009 8:35pm PDT

    death comes like a thief at night. we dont when it is going to happen...losing someone dear to u is the hardest thing to happen...

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  • THE DUCK's Avatar
    Posted by THE DUCK Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:35am PDT

    I am so sorry for his lose. God Bless him and his family. With God on his side he will always be a winner. Maybe not in the ring., but a winner where it COUNTS. God Bless you Mike Tyson.

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  • Chloe's Avatar
    Posted by Chloe Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:22am PDT

    He seemed to me a man weathered and frayed by many storms and yet his vulnerability revealed tenderness, a desired to be loved and an ability to love that his former incarnation did not demonstrate. Moreover, his openness about the counsel (tools) he has received in learning to deal with his character, show a man learning a new kind of courage and it rang as truly admirable. He had the misfortune of having to show his progress through the death of his daughter but I hope it gives him strength to see how he is changing for the better. I have never been a fan of Mike Tyson, I don’t like brutish, violent sports and I think it’s safe to say that his personal life was off-putting (to say the very least). However, I could relate to this Mike Tyson sitting with Oprah – we all have struggles. I truly wish him well and found myself kind of liking him. I hope he maintains his conviction to change and react to things differently.

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  • Mira Jacob, Shine staff's Avatar
    Posted by Mira Jacob, Shine staff Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:30am PDT

    YES, Chloe, I completely agree, and well said. I was surprised by how moved I was, especially in light of his past!

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  • Superwoman's Avatar
    Posted by Superwoman Tue Oct 13, 2009 7:47am PDT

    My heart sank to my knees when I was watching this last night. They way Mike opened up about his past... I was very surprised by this. He's been through so much and made many mistakes that he's not deeply sorry for. I hope the new Mike Tyson stays true to his word to become a better man.

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  • Habanero♥™'s Avatar
    Posted by Habanero♥™ Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:49am PDT

    His little angel is gone and he has turned himself around. God heal his heart.

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  • kat's Avatar
    Posted by kat Wed Oct 14, 2009 2:30am PDT

    Mike Tyson has lost his 4 year old daughter and it is awful and sad...No child should go before his or her parent...it is just a sad think and not to know why it happened is even worse...

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  • Adediran's Avatar
    Posted by Adediran Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:27am PDT

    She has gone to rest from this sinful world, may God almighy totally heal his heart.

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  • honeychild's Avatar
    Posted by honeychild Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:47am PDT

    poor guy. my prayers go out to him and his family.

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Comments 1-10 of 39

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