Where Is Mike Tyson From? Ethnicity, Nationality, and Hometown

With the spotlight on Mike TysonJake Paul , there's a renewed interest in the fighters, their backgrounds, and how they got here. Tyson and Paul are set to clash on Friday night at the AT&T stadium in a high-stakes match that has fans buzzing. As far as 'Iron' Mike goes, his story is quite well documented. Nevertheless, it's worth revisiting to go through where it all began for the once-'Baddest Man on the Planet'.

The MVP-Netflix show that will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern Time features a solid card. The co-main event featuring the much-anticipated rematch between Katie TaylorAmanda Serrano is also expected to pack a punch. With an estimated 60,000 fans attending at Cowboys Stadium and millions tuning in from home, there's no shortage of excitement. The showdown has received its share of criticisms. Nevertheless, Tyson's willingness to take on a much younger opponent at 58 is truly remarkable. Let's take a look at Mike Tyson's journey from his early beginnings.

Where is Mike Tyson from? Ethnicity and nationality 'Iron' Mike was born on June 30, 1966, at Fort Green, a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. His birth certificate lists Purcell Tyson as his father. Per the available information, Tyson Sr. was a cab driver who came from Jamaica. However, Mike Tyson's biological father wasn't present in the future champion's early life. In his biography, the youngest heavyweight champion mentioned, "I don't know much about my father's family. In fact, I didn't really know my father much at all."

While 'Iron' Mike was young, his mother, Ms. Lorna May Smith, met Jimmy Kirkpatrick. Several accounts report that Kirkpatrick came from Grier Town in North Carolina. According to an archived piece from the Charlotte Observer, Jimmy Kirkpatrick was an accomplished baseball player. However, like Purcell Tyson, Kirkpatrick also didn't stay with the family for long and left while 'Iron' Mike was still a child. Jimmy Kirkpatrick eventually passed away in 1992.

Interestingly, in one of the episodes of Hotboxin', where he was in conversation with musician , Mike Tyson revealed that he traced his ancestry to the present-day Congo.

More about Mike Tyson's early life and childhood Tyson grew up with his older brother , a sister , and his mother, facing numerous hardships. Financial strain forced the family to move places. By the time Mike Tyson turned ten, the family had relocated to Brownsville. It was a place where survival often depended on physical strength. He was often bullied for being overweight, having a high-pitched voice, and talking with a lisp.

As the story goes, 'Iron' Mike's first fight happened when a bully killed his pigeons. Soon fights became a day-to-day affair for the youngster, who soon acquired a name in the neighborhood. By the time he turned thirteen, Mike Tyson had been arrested 38 times on various charges.

However, things began to change when Tyson landed at a home for recalcitrant boys, Tryon School for Boys in Johnstown. Noticing Tyson's raw talent for boxing, one of the counselors, Bobby Stewart, introduced him to legendary trainer Cus D'Amato .

When Mike Tyson was 16, his mother passed away, and D'Amato legally adopted him. Under his tutelage and guidance, Mike Tyson quickly developed into a formidable force that would soon take the boxing world by storm.

Which of Mike Tyson's fights do you think was his best? Share your favorite memories with us in the comments below!